Chapter Nine

"What if don't get sorted into Gryffindor—I could be sorted into Ravenclaw—or Slytherin!" Lauren whined. It was the day before school started and Lauren was at Hogwarts with her father and brother about to be sorted into a school house.

"Don't worry, Lauren!" Oliver said calmly, "Just relax".

"How am I supposed to relax at a time like this?" Lauren said as they walked through the front entrance of Hogwarts up to Dumbledore's office. Charles Wood knocked on the door and Dumbledore came out.

"Welcome, Lauren", Dumbledore beamed, leading Lauren into his office as Charles and Oliver sat outside.

"What if she does get sorted into Slytherin?"

Charles scoffed, "If anything she'll be sorted into Ravenclaw for her brains, but never Slytherin or Hufflepuff for that matter", Charles chuckled.

Charles and Oliver waited outside for what seemed like forever. Suddenly the door opened and Oliver gave a sigh of relief seeing the smile on Lauren's face. Dumbledore emerged with her. "Another addition to my old house", Dumbledore said, looking proud.

Charles, Oliver and Lauren went out to celebrate that night at the world renowned restaurant, Maison de nourriture magnifique in the heart of London. Lauren felt nervous about the next day, but was glad she had made many friends at the party of Cedric Diggory. "I'm so glad you're in Gryffindor!" Oliver exclaimed, interrupting her thoughts.

"Me too—I packed all my things this afternoon!" Lauren stated.

"I'm proud of you, Lauren", her father beamed. "And Oliver, in the Christmas holidays I'll have you and your sister come down to London…your mother will be visiting you two in December at the Manor".

"WHAT?" Oliver and Lauren exclaimed in unison.

"She wanted to see you, Lauren—as you haven't written to her at all, and she wants to see you too, Oliver".

"Whatever", Oliver muttered.

Charles Wood sighed, "At least I gave you a warning in advance—six months in advance".

Oliver sighed, clearly annoyed and Lauren couldn't bare the uncomfortable atmosphere, excusing herself to go outside for some fresh air.

Lauren sat on a bench outside a movie theatre, wishing she was already at school. Suddenly a group of boys and girls emerged from the theatre. Lauren recognized Warrington and a couple of other Slytherins she had seen at the party. The red-headed girl who screamed at Marcus was also there and made eye contact with Lauren. Lauren quickly glanced away and could see her whispering in Warrington's ear from the corner of her eye. Warrington approached Lauren and was about to speak when a voice boomed from behind him, "Warrington! Stay away from her!" Marcus commanded. Warrington shook his head angrily, but walked back to the group of Slytherins.

"I don't need saving, Flint".

"I—"

"I'm sorry, again for my brother's behavior", Lauren interrupted.

"Don't worry about it. I've been in worse situations. He punches like a girl, anyway".

"Don't get into anymore trouble; it's your last year of school, Marcus".

"And a pity that is—seeing that it'll be hard to see you next year when you're at Hogwarts".

"Marcus—"

"I seem to bump into you everywhere I go", Marcus said, smiling.

"Do you have some sort of tracking device on me, Flint?" Lauren asked.

"No, I'm just one extremely lucky guy, I guess—and I hope my luck doesn't run out just yet".

"You better get back to your girlfriend", Lauren said, motioning to Amber.

"She's not my girlfriend anymore—I forgot about her, and forgot to break up with her—which I did the night of the party, may I add? This sounds really bad".

"Do you forget about all your girlfriends, Marcus?" Lauren asked.

Marcus looked genuinely embarrassed, "I've never found someone I've wanted to be with forever, you know? What's the point of being with someone when you know that's not going to happen? I figure you're only wasting time that way—but you probably don't know about that seeing as you haven't talked to your boyfriend in what—a month now? Terrific relationship", Marcus said, sarcastically.

"He's a great guy!" Lauren protested.

"I'm sure he is", Marcus said sarcastically.

"What do you want from me?!" Lauren asked.

"So how's life been?" Marcus said coolly, changing the conversation quickly.

"You can't just change the conversation!" Lauren exclaimed.

"MARCUS!" Amber yelled.

Marcus rolled his eyes and sat down next to Lauren. "I never invited you to sit down!" Lauren said annoyed.

"You didn't have to ask—your eyes were saying it all, Lauren my love!" Marcus said dramatically.

Lauren laughed and Marcus looked pleased with himself. "When are you going to call it quits with old what's his name?"

"Marcus!" Lauren warned.

"It's hard isn't it?" Marcus asked suddenly, his voice filled with defeat.

"What is?"

"Us", he said.

"There is no "us", Marcus".

"Well—what could be. I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic, you know?"

Lauren sighed, "I've heard about you…about all your girls, I couldn't ever be with a guy like that".

"I'd never do that to you".

"That's what they all say, Marcus—I'm smarter than that!"

"I know you are, you're the whole package", Marcus said, nervously looking down at his feet.

"Marcus…I don't ever want to be one of those girls, I want to be the girl".

"One date", he suggested casually.

"I…".

Marcus got up suddenly, "This is never going to work out, is it? Good luck with Hogwarts, Lauren". He took her hand and kissed it. "Do you need a ride home? I've said it before and I'll say it again…a girl as beautiful as you should never be left alone".

Lauren smiled sadly, "I'm with my brother".

"I see…well I guess I'll see you around", Marcus said bitterly before walking up to his friends, leaving Lauren feeling…ever so slightly…regretful to see him go.