The Outside World
It was the last day of the weekend and Garreth could not sleep-in for the life of him. He starred at his ceiling and relived the night's events over in his head. He was troubled by what Charlemaine thought of him. No one had ever really cared about him except his father, he had enough sense to put Garreth in school at least. Garreth's mother left his father after Garreth turned three. She was evidently scared of his powers. Garreth thought his mother was a coward. But then, so was he. Garreth knew he was a coward. He wouldn't stick up for himself or take risks.
Garreth rolled over and put his upper half over the side of the bed. Charlemaine was still asleep, wrapped tightly in her covers. He smiled, and then got up to get ready to go to get him and Charlemaine some breakfast. He washed his face then left for the Great Hall. When he arrived in the Entrance Hall there were people bustled around the notice board. Someone waved at him from near the double doors. It was Hermione.
"Hi!" Said Hermione. "Did that girl like all the stuff you gave her?" She smiled expectantly.
"Um, yeah." Replied Garrreth scratching his head. "As a matter of fact she wanted to pay me back for all of it." Hermione frowned slightly. "I didn't let her of course." An awkward silence came over them.
"So, what's so interesting on the notice board." Asked Garreth trying to make conversation. Hermione's eyes lit up at once.
"There's going to be a Christmas ball this year!"
"That explains all the giggling." Said Garreth obviously not thrilled.
"Are you going to ask anyone to go with you?" Said Hermione in genuine wonder.
"No I---." Garreth spluttered. He was going to say he didn't go to dances. But for some reason he couldn't make a true decision. Luckily for him the redhead from the other day called Hermione away to talk about the ball. It was only the end of October. Why in the world did they give a notice almost two months in advance? Wondered Garreth, but as he walked by the crowd he heard many girls making plans on how they were going to do their hair and what their dresses were going to be like. Many of them were already fighting over whom they were going to go with. He quickly learned the answer to his question. He hurried and grabbed some breakfast trying to get out of the uncomfortable atmosphere of the Great Hall.
Several weeks went by slowly and Garreth watched Charlemaine become more and more distant. She spent most of her time lying around, sometimes reading, and taking long baths. And to Garreth's disappointment she rarely sang anymore. It was another sunny Sunday and Garreth was finishing some homework. It was late afternoon and there were students out sitting by the lake. Garreth looked up from his paper and saw Charlemaine looking sadly at all the people lounging outside. She seemed to be entranced by them; as if they were and interesting television show. Seeing this made Garreth feel sad. He was tired of seeing Charlemaine unhappy. He felt as if he was holding her prisoner.
He left the room without her taking any notice and headed to where the Headmaster's Office was rumored to be. He reached the corridor but could not find an entrance to the Office. The only thing that was furnishing the corridor was a large golden statue of a phoenix with two tapestries on each side, also several lighted torches that went in both directions. Garreth stood and stared; trying to figure out if he had made a wrong turn. That's when he heard the grating sound to the side of him. The golden phoenix rotated up above the ceiling then stopped, and came back down. Within the phoenix's gaze stood Professor Dumbledore. He walked towards him giving him a long gaze.
"Ah!" Said Dumbledore. "Garreth Stone, why the last time I spoke with you was during your first year when we were discussing your sleeping accommodations. I do hope you still find them comfortable."
"Yes Sir." Said Garreth looking blank.
"Is there something you wish to talk to me about?"
"How did you know?" Said Garreth eyes widened.
" It is not often that students linger in my corridor." He replied his eyes twinkled.
"Well…" Murmured Garreth pausing, at this moment Garreth realized that as soon as he revealed Charlemaine's presence that she would be taken away from him. He would not have a friend around. But he weighed her happiness over his and decided it was for the best. "There's this girl." He continued.
"I'm sorry to say I am not very good at giving dating advice."
"No that's not what I meant." Garreth quickly relayed the events throughout the last month and half. Dumbledore's face darkened. At first Garreth thought he was going to be in trouble.
"Yes, Charlemaine Hanson. I remember, I talked with her father when he refused her entrance to this school. Said he needed her there since her mother wasn't there anymore."
"And you let her stay there? Did you not see her bruises?" Said Garreth anger rising with his voice.
"I'm sorry to say this but one student refusing to come to school was one of the lesser of my worries in that time and still even now." Said Dumlbedore whose voice did not rise in the slightest. Garreth remained silent though he still wanted to protest.
"We should not make her wait any longer. Why don't we go and get her and then she can join you at her first Hogwarts feast. Then we can come back here and get her sorted into a house." Dumbledore lifted one of the tapestries to reveal a door, which took them almost directly to the Slytherin common room. Charlemaine's eyes widened when she realized Garreth was not alone. Dumbledore quickly told her of the plan then left to tell the other head's the plan. Charlemaine then changed into some robes and left with Garreth for the Great Hall. Many people stared as Garreth and Charlemaine walked up some stairs into the Entrance Hall. They were just about to walk through the huge double doors when Charlemaine Stopped Garreth by grabbing his hand.
"What's the matter?" Asked Garreth.
"I'm scared." Charlemaine whispered.
"why?"
"Everyone is going to look at me." She said looking down.
"Well then come to this side," He said leading her to the left side of him. "And you wont be able to see them looking. They walked in and many people watched as they sat down. The Slytherins were all looking down the table and whispering to their friends.
"What's your name?" Said a girl across from them.
"Charlemaine" She timidly answered back. Garreth was soon listening to an in depth conversation of all the teachers, classes, and other things in Hogwarts. He looked down the table to see Malfoy starring at Charlemaine completely ignoring his girlfriend who was talking into his ear. Malfoy glanced at Garreth, who in turn shot him a nasty look. Malfoy smirked then turned to whisper something into Pansy's ear. She let out a shrill laugh; Garreth looked away positive that nothing Malfoy said could be good.
Garreth got to see Charlemaine when she first saw the enchanted Ceiling, and when the food appeared in front of her for the first time. It made him feel immensely happy to see her laughing and talking to other people. Soon the feast was over and they went up to Dumbledore's Office where all the Heads of Houses met them. And as if it were the start of term Charlemaine was sorted into a house.
"Gryffindor!" shouted the sorting hat enthusiastically. Garreth's heart sank. He told himself that Charlemaine wasn't going to end up in his house. But that still didn't lessen his disappointment. So he wandered slowly back to his room. It seemed very empty without Charlemaine and her things. He went to bed hoping that he would be able to meet Charlemaine in the Great Hall in the morning.
A.N. Hey sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I was just busy with softball and a vacation up to Michigan. But it's longer than the other chapters. Please review and tell me what you think. -