Late Night Beggars
Vera and I trudged up the stairs until we finally reached the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower- the Fat Lady.
"Password?" The Fat Lady sounded very disapproving. "Late night wanderers…" she muttered.
"Hey! McGonagall gave us detention!" I exclaimed indignantly.
"Sniggletrout," said Vera tiredly, wanting to avoid an argument. The Fat Lady swung forward, still saying stuff under her breath. I caught,
"That's Professor McGonagall to you-" and, "-disrespectful bunch-" and, "silly excuses, detention my foot!" as I followed my weary friend in. We walked up to the foot of the staircase to the girls' dormitory in silence. Then I saw a figure leaning against the stone slide (the staircase transformed when a boy tried to climb it, so it was obviously a boy). He was wrapped in a red dressing gown, and from what I could see with the light of the embers, his hair was spiky. I couldn't recognise him, but obviously, Vera had, for she uttered one word in harsh voice filled with venom,
"James." He stepped out of the shadows and just stood looking at Vera with hazel eyes full of sorrow. He hadn't noticed me, even though I was his bright red haired sister. Of course, I hadn't recognised him, and he was way disturbed, according to his expression.
"Vera," James said. It was so different from when Vera had said his name. His voice was warm, but had a sharp tang in it, which showed his pain. I had never heard him speak in such a voice before, in all the fourteen years I had lived with him. I realised he must actually love Vera. I was shocked. He had never loved anyone before. It had always been dates and pretty girlfriends whom he dumped after a week and sometimes after just a couple of days. But his voice sounded like he wouldn't mind living the rest of his life with Vera.
Wo! Personal moment here- time to creep away. But something stopped me. I guess nosy old me wanted to find out what happened, and sweet old me wanted to know whether her brother and her best friend- best couple ever!!! (LOL!) - got back together or not, 'cause even though it was weird to be in between, they were kind of meant for each other somehow. I stepped back against the slide, and it turned back into a staircase. I climbed up a few steps, and then sat down, clothed by shadow, and unnoticed by either of them.
"Why did you do it?" Vera whispered. She didn't sound angry this time, only hurt.
"Will you really listen to me?" asked James gently. Vera didn't do anything.
"Well, I was paying for the drinks at the bar, when Trisha came up to me and asked if she could talk to me. When I agreed and finished paying, she dragged me to somewhere outside the Ladies, and started kissing me." Here he looked embarrassed. "It was an automatic reaction, kissing her back. It was just registering in my brain, who she was, when you turned up and saw us. I swear it wasn't my fault." James sounded desperate. "Please forgive me Vera. I love you." Vera's face softened. She reached up and kissed him. This time, I left them, making up- or rather making out- on the staircase. It seemed too private to intrude. Even if they were my brother and my best friend.
As I lay in my bed, staring up at the canopy above, I couldn't help thinking about another boy and girl, kissing. The boy was silver-blonde, and the girl red-haired. The image wouldn't get out of my head, and I couldn't sleep.
Very short chapter, I know, but it was just so that Vera and James make up. U like?