A/F: Sooo many thanks for the reviews! They honestly keep me writing because it shows that some of you out there are actually reading my fic. But you know, what's a little ego boost amongst friends? Love you all! Enjoy the update!
XOXO-
Emmie Rose
PS: I just realized (and I'm completely ashamed) that I've been leaving the 't' out of 'Quidditch'. I've changed it for this chapter, just ignore it for the rest?
"I still can't believe you told him about your Dad," James stated as he sprawled out on the floor in front of the common room fire. I refused to let him sit in a chair because he still hasn't showered since Quidditch practice and was covered head to toe in mud. His excuse? "I'm exhausted!"
"It's been two weeks and you're still griping about that?" I questioned, carefully flipping the page of Hogwarts a History.
"Sorry, I'm just still smarting about it. You don't talk about it and suddenly you're telling this boy that you've known for a few days," he remarked, examining his arm and idly chipping mud off his wrist.
"We were dating for a month at that point and you know it. Will you go shower and leave me be?"
"I think it's cool that she's talking about it with someone else besides us," Kent remarked, taking the towel in his hands and rubbing it fiercely over his hair. See! Kent's not some caveman.
"I'm not talking about it. I just told him about what happened," I replied, for about the hundredth time. So I talk to someone. Can't they leave it be? Kent looked up at me through the towel and gave me a weak smile.
"I just thought that before we got more serious he should know. You know, before someone else tells him and he gets sore about it."
"I understand. I've told Becca," Kent remarked. "Though not as forward as you did, I was a tad bit more tactful."
"You did?" James exclaimed, sitting up.
"Yes. Like Kaylie, I didn't want any secrets between us," he replied.
"See…now why don't you two go to bed? First game of the season is tomorrow," I remarked, tapping Kent on the back of the head with my book.
"Alright Mum," Kent teased, standing up and looping the towel around his shoulders. He looked down at James and raised an eyebrow. He scrunched his face and sat up.
"I'm just so sore…I'm putting off the inevitable pain of standing for a time span of more than five seconds," he remarked, shooting me a doleful look.
"The passwords Posey…just don't get caught," I sighed, giving him the password to the prefect's bathroom. He beamed and jumped up (with speed that said the opposite of sore) and pat me on the head. I wrinkled my nose and settled into the chair as he grabbed his bag of shower supplies and exited the common room. I settled into my chair and blindly stared at the page in front of me. I wish James would quit bringing up that I told Luke about what happened to Kent and I, because frankly I haven't spoken about it since and every time James brings it up it makes the pain more raw. Luke hasn't pushed me to talk more about it, but then again we haven't seen much of each other lately between my school work and his rigorous Quiddich schedule. We only had time to sneak a few kisses and a quick hello after meals and when we saw each other in the halls.
I was having trouble concentrating on the words in front of me. Kent told Becca too. Does that mean the three of us are over relying on each other? That we've moved on to people that could better suit our needs. Maybe that was the real reason that James was making a big deal about it more than two weeks after the fact.
My head started to throb with a dull ache. It actually hurt to read. I snapped the book shut and gazed into the fire. The flames flickered and waved in a way that actually made my ever-busy mind calm. I wasn't thinking of anything for once since I was twelve. Maybe it's because I'm so tired. Slowly I felt my eyes get heavy.
I was at my house but the halls were dark and foggy? I wandered down the hall and looked about myself.
The family pictures on the walls were moving as usual but for some reason they were glaring at me and following my every move. As I walked down the hall my Dad slowly disappeared from each picture.
My heart started to slam in my chest, the sound was echoing through the halls eerily magnified. I began to run because now the halls weren't just echoing my heart but screams as well. The faster I ran the farther the last room in the hall became. I ran faster and faster as the screams became more and more desperate. I whipped out my wand and screamed at the door.
"Alohomora! Alohomora!" I shouted as the door swung open. I snatched the door knob and held on tight because now the floor had fallen away. I just managed to pull myself into the room. I lay panting at the floor. The screaming had stopped but now the room was completely quiet. The silence pressed into my ears and bore into my skull. I looked up and felt the scream catch in my throat.
"Daddy? Daddy, what's wrong? What's happened?" I whispered, crawling over to the figure slumped on the ground. There was blood pouring out of his side and was coating my knees. He was viciously stabbed. Who did this? Why?
"No, no! Wake up, you have to wake up! Dad? Can you hear me! Dad, don't go! Just stay awake so I can go get help! Help! Someone help me! He's dying!" I screamed, pressing my hands against his chest and his side. The blood blossomed over my hands and wrists. It felt ice cold.
That's when the shadow came. It always came at this time. It engulfed me making my pleas for help silent no matter how hard I screamed.
"Kaylie! Kaylie! Get up!"
"No, I can't! I can't leave him. He needs help! He's dying!" I screamed. This time the shadow shook me roughly and I fell through the floor.
"Kaylie, Kaylie! Wake up! It's just a dream," James announced from far away. My eyes flew open and I sat up gasping for air that wouldn't quite fill my lungs. I was drenched in sweat. Where was I? I sat up and looked frantically around. I was in the common room. It was darkened, only lit by the embers of the fire left in the fireplace. I was safe. The shadow wasn't going to get me. I felt like bursting into tears. I looked frantically around. James was staring at me with a concerned look, water dripping down his forehead.
"It's just a dream, breathe Kaylie," he commanded, pressing his hands on my cheeks. I tried to take a deep breath. I was shaking violently.
"Come here Kay. It's going to be alright. It's just a dream. It's all over," James whispered, taking me into his arms and resting his chin on top of my head. He began to calmly rake his fingers through my hair and up and down my back. I felt tears gathering in my eyes and threatening to slip down my cheeks. I bit the inside of my cheek and tried to concentrate on breathing but it was becoming more and more difficult to do so.
"Kay, it was just a dream. It's over, it's done," James whispered. I felt my breath catch in my throat.
"Don't you see James? It will never be over because we still don't know who did this! He's still out there," I choked out as I pulled back to look at James' face. The tears were coursing down my cheeks. I don't cry about this in front of people. I wait until no one is around and I'm alone.
"You're safe though, Kaylie, you're completely safe," he explained, gathering me into his arms again. I threw my arms around his neck and tried to silence a sob into his shoulder. His t-shirt was soft and smelt comfortingly of grass, broomstick polish and the woodsy scent of his shampoo.
"I'm scared James. I close my eyes and find him lying there all the time. I'm sick of watching him die," I sobbed, feeling like I was careening over the edge.
"KayKay, you need to talk about it. You have these dreams because you bottle everything up. You've been through the worst thing I could ever imagine. You can't just go through life keeping it to yourself," James whispered comfortingly in my ear.
"Who do I talk to? I can't talk to anyone about it. When I do, everything comes back to me and I relive it over and over again. I can't. I just can't."
"Is living it through words better than seeing it in your dreams? Honestly?"
"No."
"So we'll find someone for you to talk to?"
I nodded into his shoulder and brought a hand from around his neck to wipe my cheeks with the heel of my hand. I sat back and looked towards the dormitories then back at James. He looked like his heart was breaking.
"James, I can't go up there by myself," I whispered hesitantly. James nodded and held up a finger. He dashed up the stairs to his dormitory. I sat back in the arm chair and wrapped my arms tight around my knees. This is why I never go back to sleep. The shadows creep from the corners like they were going to grab me. James came thundering back down the stairs with a couple pillows and blankets in his arms. He tossed a pillow on the padded bench and threw the other one at the ground.
"I'll sleep on the ground," he remarked wrapping himself in the blanket. I sniffed and looked over at him.
"But you have a game in the morning," I replied weakly. James settled into the ground and looked up at me.
"You don't want to be alone. What kind of friend would leave you alone after a dream like that? Just lay down. I'll be fine," he remarked with a small smile. Hesitantly I picked my way over to the bench and settled down, pulling the blanket over my shoulders. The dark was pressing upon us as the fire's embers dissolved into nothing.
"James?" I questioned quietly.
"Yeah Kay?"
"You're a really great friend. Thanks for…you know…"
James sat up. I could just make out his form in the dark. His hand came out and pushed some hair behind my ear.
"Kaylie, I will always be here for you," he remarked. I could feel him smiling. I sniffed and nodded, letting my exhaustion overcome me. Slowly I drifted back into a dreamless sleep, because in the back of my head I knew someone was there to keep those shadows away.
ӿӿKentӿӿ
"Honestly! You slept down here with her all night?"
I scrunched my brow and practically ran down the stairs to the common room. Rory was shouting, which can't be good. I tucked my Chasers gloves under my arm and pushed some of my curls off my forehead. James was cringing as Rory looked angrily at him.
"I slept on the floor, Rory! What are you getting all worked up about?" he questioned. There was a small crowd forming a few feet away. Who did James sleep down here with?
"If you don't know what I'm all worked up about…then don't even bother speaking to me anymore," she snapped, turning on her heel and storming up the stairs to the girls dormitories. James followed but stopped at the foot of the stairs.
"Oh very mature Rory! You know I can't go up there," he shouted before turning around and punching the wall. He yelped in pain and shook his hand, cursing like Mr. Weasley when the Cannons had a particularly brutal loss. He shot an angry look at the faces staring at him.
"Nothing happened!" He exclaimed, turning on his heel and going up to our dormitory.
"What's 'nothing' that happened?" I questioned to Trevor who was flinching at the site.
"Rory came down to find him and Kaylie sleeping down here together. At least that's what we all assumed happened. She kinda woke the house up and by the time people started coming down to see what was going on it was just Rory and James going at it," Trevor explained. Oh.
"So where's Kaylie?"
"Search me."
I tossed my gloves and Quidditch boots on a chair and started up to the dormitory. James was tossing things out of his trunk and muttering under his breath.
"Hey," I remarked, plopping down on my unmade bed.
"Oh, hi. Have you seen my bloody Quidditch gear? I can't find it," he grumbled.
"It's on the window seat," I remarked, pointing to the dirty pile under the window.
"Thanks," James sighed, pulling his pajama t-shirt over his head.
"So, had quite the row with Rory?"
"She bloody overreacted. I was on the ground. Kay was on the bench. Nothing happened," he snapped.
"I didn't say anything happened," I remarked calmly, staring my best friend down. He looked at me and sighed.
"I came back from the shower and she was having one of her night terrors. So I woke her up," he started. "She was scared, Kent, and crying. I couldn't just leave her alone. So I slept on the ground so she wouldn't have to be alone."
"Oh, well did you tell Rory that?"
"Yes, I told Rory that. Not that she listened to me. Poor Kay. Rory had a few choice words for her too. She ran off once the real yelling started."
"Thanks for staying with her last night. Usually I just sleep in her room with her," I remarked with a small shrug.
"She agreed to get help," James stated quietly. "I convinced her to talk to someone. Maybe you should too."
"I don't need to talk to anyone."
"Yes you do. You may not have nightmares but I see what it does to you," James stated, looking me dead in the eyes.
"I wrote your dad. He never wrote back."
"He's coming to see Al play today. I can help you talk to him then. He must have a good reason for not writing you," James stated, pulling his jersey over his head. I shrugged and began to pick at my fingers.
"Just think about it, yeah? It'd be good for you and Kaylie to do together. I'm going to go see if Becca will get my harpy to come down so I can apologize or something," he snorted, cuffing me upside the head and taking his gear out of the room. I waited a few seconds before going over to the picture on my bedside table. It was a picture of the four of us taken shortly before Dad died. He was smiling up at me with an almost serene look on his face. I groaned and got up, gathering myself to go back down. James' words echoed in my mind.
The whole affair was hushed up within the Ministry, with only an announcement in the Prophet that famous Unspeakable Jarred Scott was killed. Only a choice amount of people knew that he was one, murdered and two Kaylie and I witnessed it. Because things were so hush-hush about it Kaylie and I learned to not really speak about it with anyone. I looked at my watch and sighed. I better go down to breakfast.
I quietly lighted my way down the stairs. The common room had emptied out so I walked directly to the Great Hall. It was already buzzing with the opportunity of a fabulous Quidditch match.
I settled onto the bench next to Becca. She handed me a bowl of porridge and smiled.
"Nervous?"
"Not particularly. We've got a good set of Chasers, both teams do really, but we're both also trying out two brand new Seekers. Who knows how long this match can go," I smiled, giving her a peck on the cheek and tucking into the hot cereal.
"Did you get Rory to talk to James?" I questioned. Becca sighed and gave me a slight eye roll.
"Sort of. He apologized but Rory was still smarting about it. Frankly I think she's overreacting a tad. I came down with her this morning. It was completely innocent, but then again it's Rory," she sighed.
"Have you seen Kaylie?"
"She changed and then said something about going down to the pitch to set up the commentators box. I think she was rather embarrassed about the whole thing," Becca shrugged.
"I would imagine that much," I snorted.
"She's okay, right?"
"I don't know. She has good days and bad just like the rest of us," I remarked. Becca pushed some hair off my forehead and gave me a reassuring smile.
"How are your days? Good or bad lately?"
"They vary. Sometimes I really miss him, but then I have moments where my sadness is just erased by my worry about Kaylie. She didn't used to be so uptight."
"I remember…I guess the only thing I can think of saying is that time can only heal your wounds," she remarked sagely. I grinned and wiped my mouth on my napkin. Ryan was calling the team together.
"That is very wise of you. I'm okay, really. I'll see you after the game," I smiled, giving her a quick kiss.
"Pluck those Ravens will you?"
"I'll try my hardest," I laughed, heading out of the hall.
"Kent! Hey Kent!" Luke shouted as we reached the entrance hall. He was coming up from the direction of the dungeons, his Quidditch boots still untied.
"Yeah?"
"Have you seen Kaylie? She wasn't at breakfast and I've heard some strange things," he stated shooting a look at James, who was chatting with Fred.
"Don't listen to whatever you heard. Viscous rumors, that's all," I stated calmly.
"Right. Well, see you in the air," he sighed, running to join his own team behind us. I shook my head and followed the team to our changing rooms.
We began to gear up. Strapping on protective arm and leg braces and tying up laces. I began to wrap my wrists as Ryan started his pre-game talk.
"Right team. I've heard a lot about their Seeker. First year, quiet talented…" Ryan started. Fred snorted and tossed his sister her wrist braces.
"Ryan, you're speaking like he's not related to half of us. We know Al. His weaknesses, his good points. Don't worry. We've got it handled, mate," he declared. Ryan nodded and began pacing as the crowds filed into the stands. Kaylie welcomed the Ravenclaw team to the field. Finally Ryan nodded and we filed out into the stadium.
"Here's the Gryffindor team! Wood, Potter, Weasley, Scott, Weasley, Weasley and Creevey!" Kaylie's voice erupted magically magnified. The crowd roared. I turned around and shot my sister two thumbs up. She waved, holding up our flag. It was a crimson Gryffindor flag that our dad got us when we were sorted here. He was so proud, even though he came from Hufflepuff himself.
"Captains, shake hands," Madam Hootch declared. Wood and Luke shook hands. We mounted our brooms and took off at the whistle.
As we took our opening lap around the field I leveled out with James. His face was set in fierce determination.
"Are you going to be alright?" I shouted over the wind whipping in our ears.
"Of course I'll be alright! No girl is going to block me from Quidditch," he replied, giving a burst of speed and zooming ahead. I came along side Victorie and started to give her a hand signal for our first move but she was stopped and waving into the crowd. Teddy's here. She blew him a kiss and turned the broom around as Hootch's whistle blasted again and the balls were released into the air. Please let their head be in this game.
ӿӿKaylieӿӿ
I sat back in my chair and watched as the teams took opening laps around the pitch. They were merely streaks of blue and red bright against the sky.
"Here's some tea and toast. I noticed you weren't at breakfast," Lizzie remarked, placing a mug of tea and a napkin full of toast as she and her Dad came into the commentators booth.
"Oh thanks Liz, you're a goddess," I remarked, jamming some food in my mouth before the balls were released to start the game.
"Quite the scene today…" Lizzie stated quietly. I shot her a look and gave a shifty glance to Professor Longbottom.
"I fell asleep downstairs, had a nightmare, and James woke me up. I didn't want to be alone so he slept on the floor Lizzie. Nothing more happened. Why is everyone making such a gigantic deal," I groaned in a whisper, attempting to choose my words carefully but giving up and just stating the truth.
"I never said anything more happened. I'm just saying that Rory flipped her broomstick and you better watch your back in the halls," Lizzie giggled. I rolled my eyes.
"Like I can't handle Rory," I sighed.
"Harry! You made it," Professor Longbottom exclaimed loudly. Lizzie and I jumped a foot and spun around.
"Just coming up for a quick hello Neville. Depends how long the game goes, but if it ends soon enough Gin and I will stay for dinner," Mr. Potter remarked, giving Longbottom a hearty handshake.
"Hullo Liz, Kaylie," he remarked happily. His eyes lingered on me for a fraction of a second longer then they did on Lizzie before he cleared his voice and turned back to Longbottom.
"Can I have a quick word Neville?" He questioned in an undertone, jerking his head out to the stairwell.
"Of course. Keep it clean Ms. Scott," He remarked sternly, but smiled at me and turned to go with James' dad.
"I suppose he's here for Albus," I remarked.
"Yeah, but when I was staying with Mum and Dad last weekend they had a funny conversation through flo," Lizzie replied. "Oh look, there goes the balls."
I jumped again and flipped around. I held my wand to my throat and muttered "Sonorus".
"Welcome everyone to the first annual Quidditch game of the season! It's a brisk day today with higher winds then expected and a slight sun glint out there. Today we see a grudge match against Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. The cup has been traded from Gryffindor to Ravenclaw last season and the stakes are high today," I announced calmly.
"First possesion goes to Ravenclaw as Masters takes the Quaffle but it is quickly intercepted by Weasley on the Gryffindor side…this should be an interessting game today due to the fact that both Seekers are new to the pitch. We will see how this plays out.
"Weasley to Potter and Potter heading down to the center of the pitch but is blocked by Gaines from Ravenclaw. Nice bludger hit by R. Weasley in Gryffindor but it wasn't needed. Potter drops the Quaffle to Scott below who takes it to the Ravenclaw hoops and ten points for Gryffindor!"
I raised my arms in triumph but kept my cheers to myself. The sea of red and gold was going wild in the stands. Scott flew by me and I gave him a thumbs up.
"Gaines has the Quaffle again and passes to Rodgers of Ravenclaw who speeds down the pitch. And yes, a well placed bludger by F. Weasley of Gryffindor. Rodgers drops the Quaffle and Weasley picks it up. She's flying high over the pitch and is diving back low, bulleting towards the goals. Another ten points for Gryffindor! Weasley sneaked a pass to Potter who scored while the Ravenclaw Seeker, Folley, was distracted! Clever tactic there.
"The score stands twenty nothing, Gryffindor has the Quaffle but is stolen by Masters. Masters takes it down the pitch, weaving spectacuarly. Nice dodge of a bludger there and then another one and ten points to Ravenclaw. Splended play Masters. Twenty, ten, Gryffindor," I declared, blushing slightly at watching him play. I felt guilty I wasn't able to wish him luck before the game.
"The Chasers are playing their hardest today, Ravenclaw struggling to level the playing field. Masters passes to Gaines who gets hit in the arm by a rather nasty hit from a bludger, sent from F. Weasley. The play will be halted temporarily while Madame Fey checks out Gaines," I quieted my voice and took a big gulp of tea, soothing my throat.
The play was going along at a rapid pace after the game restarted. Soon the score was fifty-seventy Gryffindor and the snitch was nowhere to be seen. There were many good passes and steals by the Chasers but the Keepers were on fire, blocking shot after shot. I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose. It was going to be a long game. I can tell. The Seekers were circling above the field, in search for the Snitch. I scanned the field, looking for a glint of gold and sighed when it didn't show.
"It's at the foot of the middle Gryffindor goal post," Mr. Potted stated suddenly. I jumped and turned around to look at him before squinting at the ground. He was right. There was the snitch. He let out a small laugh as it flitted away.
"Still got it," he remarked, giving me a happy look and settling into a chair.
"And we continue play with still no sign on the snitch but Gryffindor leads by twenty points. Potter takes the Quaffle, passes to Victorie and then to Scott. Gryffindor is rigourously passing and the Quaffle is quickly changing hands. And Gryffindor scores! The score is now eighty-fifty, Gryffindor. Masters has the Quaffle, a beautiful behind the back pass to Gaines, but oh it's blocked by Wood and thrown to Potter. Potter to Scott to Weasley again but blocked by the Ravenclaw Keeper," I announced.
"The snitch!" Mr. Potter exclaimed suddenly. I jerked my head up to see Albus and Derrick diving towards the ground. I stood from my chair and leaned forward. They were going at breakneck speeds, arms knocking each other away. The snitch took a sudden ninty degree turn. Derrick hesitated for a fraction of a second and the snitch was caught tight in Albus' fist. Mr. Potter let out a loud cheer and I sighed.
"And that's the game everyone. Ravenclaw wins two hundred points to eighty. Great game players."
I reached for my tea and took a sip. It was ice cold. I jabbed at it with my wand and it steamed up instantly. Right, so that's slightly depressing.
"I hate that Gryffindor lost, but Albus sure does a father proud," Mr. Potter laughed, turning to face me. I nodded and cradled my cup of tea in my hands. "It's almost dinner time. Can I walk you to the castle, Kaylie?"
I furrowed my brow. Yeah, I've always been really close to James and even kinda close to Mrs. Potter, but there was something about James' dad that was just intimidating. Maybe it's all that I know that he's done. But I don't think I can refuse it. I gave a look towards the field, flooded with students and spectators alike, before giving him a short nod. We walked in silence towards the castle. Mr. Potter finally cleared his throat and stopped walking near the greenhouses.
"Kaylie, were you aware that your brother wrote to me earlier this year?" He questioned. I furrowed my brow. "I take that as a no. Well he did, regarding your dad's case."
"Really? Why would he do that? He didn't even tell me!" I exclaimed.
"He wrote me because he's worried about you and James is too, to be frank."
"Look Mr. Potter, no offense, but I don't think I'm acting any differently than anyone else would in my situation," I stated squarely, "because everyone deals with grief in their own way, right?"
"Yes that's true, but I've come to believe you tend to bottle things up. Don't talk about it, don't mention it, it's like it doesn't exist."
"I don't treat it like it never exists. Of course it exists. I would have a Dad again if it didn't exist. I just don't like talking about it, that's all. Why does everyone think that's such a huge crime? Should I go to Azkaban for not speaking to anyone about seeing my dad die?"
"I never said that and believe it or not I know exactly what you're going through. Kaylie I've seen many, many people die. I've had the night terrors. Ones so bad you don't want to go to sleep at night. But I had friends that I talked about it with. And as much as it hurt to do so, as scary as it was, it made it a little bit better," Mr. Potter remarked. I began to fiddle with my hair and look at the ground. I felt the tears spring up.
"I'm not here to make you talk. Not at all. I'm here for you and Kent because I think you two deserve some answers. Maybe if you knew more that was going on, it would alleviate some of the frightened feelings."
"What if I don't want to know the details? What if it makes everything worse?"
"I'm not going to give you anything you don't already know about the crime itself. I only hope to shed some light on the situation. I just remember how awful it was to be kept in the dark, and it's been too long for you two to live in shadows." Mr. Potter sighed. "Plus, I think this would mean more to Kent then you think. He may write the letter stating that he wants to know so he can protect you, but honestly I think that's his way of dealing with it. Being your guardian."
"Okay. I'll come…" I replied, twisting my fingers in knots.
"I figured you'd do that, once I played the twin card," he laughed, motioning for us to walk back towards the castle.
"That was very James like of you, Mr. Potter," I laughed.
"Yes, yes it was. But desperate situations call for desperate measures I guess. Go ahead and tell my son he can come along. I figure you and Kent will most likely tell him everything anyways."
"Yes, the drama of the situation just can't be denied," I answered wryly. Mr. Potter let out a loud laugh and opened the castle door for me. I felt nervous, my insides were quaking, but deep (way deep down) I felt sort of relieved.
ӿӿJamesӿӿ
"What else do you want me to say Rory? I apologized. I swore up and down that nothing happened. I don't know what to do. Don't you trust me?" I exclaimed, taking Rory's face in my hands. She sighed and concentrated on her feet.
"Of course I trust you, doll. I have no reason not to," she replied, placing a hand over mine. I smiled and kissed her forehead.
"So am I forgiven?"
"Yes. Yes you are. I was just jealous that you didn't come get me. That you chose to spend the evening with her and stay down there with her and not me," she remarked quietly.
"I told you it was because of-"
"Her nightmare. Yes, yes, I know. I just wish, sometimes, that I could have nightmares so you would care for me."
I dropped my hands and took a step back. Rory looked confused and sad. She wishes she could have nightmares?
"Rory, when your dad gets murdered and you start having nightmares over that, then I'll stay with you in the common room all you want. But until then, just…just don't talk to me," I hissed, turning on my heel and walking away. I heard her call out my name but kept going, my fury coursing through my veins. That was beyond untactful. That was just uncalled for and desperate. I was walking with such purpose, I didn't even realize where I was going until I heard my named called. I turned around to see my mother rushing down the hall to me.
"Oh there you are Jemmy! Dad and I want to have dinner with you and Kaylie and Kent. We just had tea with your brother and have been looking for you ever since," she announced breathlessly. She stopped when she saw my face. Automatically her hand went to my forehead and cheek.
"Are you alright Jemmy? Did you get sick today? Shall we get you some pepper-up potion?"
"Mum, I'm not sick. I was just talking to Rory, is all," I groaned, pushing her hands off me.
"You're new girl friend? Right?"
"I don't know if she's much of that anymore. But I'd rather not talk about it, yeah?"
"Are you sure? I can be pretty good judge of females, considering I am one," she questioned, slipping an arm around my shoulders.
"Really? I didn't know that," I snorted.
"Yes, I am. Have been all my life."
"Thanks, but no thanks Mum. If I have any questions about the female species I will write to Teddy," I remarked.
"I guess that'll do," she smiled, scuffing my hair up a bit. We were just reaching Professor Longbottom's office when I heard raised voices around the corner. I looked at Mum, she smiled and raised her eyebrows and slipped into the office. I stopped and listened, feeling my breath catch in my throat.
"Honestly Kaylie, where have you been? I haven't seen you all day and I'm confronted from all sides by these rumors that you've slept with James Potter, can you please tell me what the hell is going on?"
"Luke, I've told you that nothing happened, but I really need to go to Professor Longbottom's office. Can we talk about this tomorrow?" Kaylie sighed. I could almost feel her rubbing the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"No, we're going to talk about this now Kaylie! I want to know what happened!" Luke snapped.
"Luke, let go of me before I hex you," Kaylie stated evenly. I gripped my wand. He grabbed her. Suddenly Luke yelped.
"Did you just cast a stinging hex on me?"
"Yes, yes I did, because you grabbed me! Now how many times I have to tell you that nothing happened between James and me! Why don't you trust me, Luke? I trusted you. I told you about what happened to me and Kent. I don't just tell anyone that believe it or not," she snapped.
"Kay, of course I know that. Do you know how honored I am that-"
"Cut the shit Luke. Tell me. Tell me one single instance where I've given you reason not to trust me. Say it now or I'm walking away," she cut in. There was silence.
"So there's no reason. I'm just this untrustable person. I've got to go Luke," Kaylie whispered. I heard her turn around and then yelp again.
"Kaylie, I didn't say I don't trust you. I just need to think about it, alright?" he declared then he shouted with the sound of a spell and a disgruntled snort from Kaylie. Kaylie came stalking around the corner so fast I didn't have time to dive into the office. She stopped and gave me a contemptuous look.
"James? Eavesdropping?"
"No of course not. I don't even have a set of extendable ears to do so. Shall I go punch him?"
"I don't think you could, not with the bogies consuming his face," she replied wryly, yanking open the door. Kent turned around with half a sandwich shoved in his mouth.
"There you two are," he mumbled through the food, "did I hear yelling?"
"Yeah, that would be my fault. But don't worry about it," Kaylie sighed. Kent's eyes bore into the side of her head. She threw up a hand and snorted slightly.
"I was speaking to Luke," she remarked.
"About the game?"
"No, she broke up with him," I stated darkly. Kent looked between the two of us.
"What?"
"He said that he couldn't figure out a reason to trust me and needed to think about it," Kaylie stated grimly.
"What the bloody hell does that mean? You haven't done anything," Kent snorted.
"Well, she bat-bogied him so I think his thinking will be short," I announced, starting for a sandwich but giving up half way.
"Bat-bogie hex is always a rather fine way to go," Mum declared quietly. The three of us looked up in surprise and Kent began to choke on his sandwich. Without tearing her eyes from my Mum, Kaylie flicked her wand at Kent, dislodging his wind pipe.
"Thanks," he muttered.
"Sorry to startle you. I only heard the end part. I swear," Mum laughed, coming in and taking a sandwich for herself.
"You should eat after that game James, you look rather peaky," Mum stated, nudging the plate towards me.
"Not that hungry Mum," I sighed. She raised her eyebrows at me but left it at that.
"Your Mum's right about bat-bogie hexes. They tend to be rather unforgettable. But then again, who forgets bogies attacking your face," Dad stated with a file under his arm. He smiled at me and settled into Longbottom's chair.
"Quite a game today James," he remarked.
"Thanks Dad, it was rather rewarding losing to my own little brother," I remarked, "but not going to lie, but sitting across from you like this kinda gives me the chills. I feel like I'm really in trouble."
"If it makes you feel better, I found the snitch at least five times before your brother did. Even Kaylie found it once."
"Yeah, it was by the goal posts. And the eerie feeling makes sense, we've been on this side of the desk enough times to certainly know the feelings," Kaylie laughed. Mum nodded in agreement. I shivered exaggeratingly.
"Very funny James. Would you like this chair?" Dad questioned, a smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, that would be lovely." I announced standing up and going beside Dad. He rolled his eyes but gave me the chair and took my own next to Kaylie.
"So this is what it looks like? Hmm, I feel kinda bad for Neville now," I remarked. Mum groaned and placed a hand on her forehead breifly.
"Why don't we just get to the point, love?" she suggested, pointing to the folder. Dad smiled at her but merely pulled the case into his lap.
"So I guess the best way to start this is to let you two ask me whatever you would like. I promise to answer anything that I possibly can," Dad announced carefully.
"So you won't spare us because of age or feelings?" Kaylie questioned. What has gotten in to her. She's quite a spit-fire tonight. It's like some life was breathed back into her and I didn't even realize it was gone in the first place.
"I'll try not to," Dad answered after a beat of silence.
"To start, does Mum know you're doing this?" Kent questioned.
"Yes, I did tell her I would be doing this. She tried to make it, but got held up at work."
"She really did want to be here," Mum added. Kaylie furrowed her brow and bit her lip. So she had something to say. I raised my eyebrows at her and she shook her head a fraction of an inch. Kent looked at Kaylie to give her a chance to ask, but when she didn't do anything he sighed.
"Do you have any leads, I guess?" Kent questioned hesitantly.
"We don't have leads on who it is, but we might know why."
"Well, why?" Kaylie questioned sharply. Mum looked at her with soft features.
"Because there was this case going on in the Department of Mysteries at that time and your parents, being who they were, were assumed to be very active in it. We think whoever did it probably wanted information," Dad remarked calmly.
"But why come to our home? Why do it in our house?" Kaylie exploded. Sparks shot violently out of her wand. Even Kent looked at her in alarm. Mum got up and knelt in front of Kaylie, gently taking her wand out of her hands before grasping them tightly. She looked over at my Dad and gently reached out to stroke Kaylie's hair, looking her straight in the eyes and smiling this certain smile.
"Is there any chance he wasn't even a wizard? But a muggle home invader of some sort?" I questioned quickly. My heart was pounding in my chest. Mum doesn't do stuff like that unless we're about to go through great distress. Especially that smile.
"Yes, that is possible. Anything is possible of course. But there's something about that project. Nobody knows the details of course. It is the Department of Mysteries. But we've figured out some things and, well, we think that it was most likely one of our kind."
"But that still doesn't explain why he came to our house. If he was after that 'project' why didn't he just try to break into the department?" Kent questioned, his voice shaking slightly. Kaylie had gone into some kind of shock. She was looking around the room with wide eyes. My mother's attempts at consoling her weren't doing anything. She took a shuddering breath and turned to Kent.
"Because Kent, whoever did that to Dad was after us…" she stated slowly. I looked wildly to my parents. Their faces said it all.
A/A: I stayed up till five am writing this, then six thirty proof-reading. You would've gotten it so much sooner if my computer didn't freak and make me lose about seven pages of gold at around two am. But in all actuality, I like the second version better. Don't worry about your favorite little couples, the end isn't there just yet, but I'm not saying for who or what or even admiting that that whole sentence made sense, I'm slightly delusional from lack of sleep. As for the ominious warning, I've been watching too much Ghost Whisperer. Season three is scaring the shit out of me. Anywho! I hope you love it because I sacrifice sleep for you dear readers! Show me some love, she asks weakly?
XOXO-
Emmie Rose