Chapter Fourteen

Hogsmeade was filled with Hogwarts students the following Saturday and Lauren was less than impressed with what the village had to offer. "I know, I know, nothing like Paris but at least were not confined to the grounds of Hogwarts", Sebastian said, still holding her hand after seeing Lauren raise an eyebrow, "Come on I'll show you around".

"That's 'The Three Broomsticks', known for its delicious butterbeer, that's 'Zonko's Joke Shop', over there is Hogmeade Station where we got off the other day…"

"What's that?" Lauren asked in disgust, pointing at a hanging sign in front of a pub with a severed boar's head, leaking blood onto the white cloth around it. The pub looked filthy and the windows were smeared with much grime.

"That's 'The Hog's Head' Pub. It's pretty filthy, smells like goats and a lot of people who go there are pretty shady—not the types of people we'd hang around with".

"I see…" Lauren said, pulling Sebastian away, "Show me more!"

Lauren and Sebastian walked hand in hand, passing many students. Lauren spotted Marcus and the tall brunette in Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. They were holding hands and the girl appeared to do all the talking while Marcus nodded every now and then. "That's 'Gladrags Wizardwear', it's full of quirky merchandise", said Sebastian pointing to a small boutique store.

"I know that store, they have branches in London and Paris, they specialize in unusual socks", said Lauren thoughtfully.

"That's the one! And the store next to it is 'Dervish and Banges', it's a shop that sells and repairs magical equipment, and that's the post office three stores down, it has at least three hundred owls—oh and that's Honeydukes Sweetshop! Let's go in there!" Sebastian said, leading Lauren with his hand.

"I've heard of it! It's one of the most famous wizarding sweetshops in the world!" said Lauren excitedly. Sebastian bought a bunch of Chocolate Frogs, Liquorice Wands, Pepper Imps, Chocoballs, Fizzing Whizzbees, Toothflossing Stringmints, Ice Mice, Cockroach Clusters, Jelly Slugs, Blood Lollipops, Acid Pops and Sugar Quills for Lauren.

"Thanks—you didn't have to!" Lauren said.

"Not a problem!" said Sebastian, "I'd like to take you somewhere for lunch".

Sebastian led Lauren into a little tea shop on a little side street off High Street. "Madam Puddifoots?" Lauren asked, looking into the window seeing many couples inside the very busy tea shop. Sebastian opened the door for Lauren and helped her into a seat.

"No way are we going into Madam Puddifoots, Heather!" Marcus said, annoyed at how the day had turned out. Spending a day with Heather made Marcus remember why he'd stopped calling her. Like all of Marcus' ex-girlfriends she was self-absorbed gold-digging princess.

"I'm sick of this! Everything is always about you!"

"You know what…maybe you're right…let's go in", said Marcus eyeing Lauren through the window of Madam Puddifoots. Marcus went in the door followed by Heather and sat down at a table which gave him a clear view of Lauren. Lauren spotted Marcus and Heather from across the room. His arm was around her and he was whispering in his ear. Lauren tried to ignore him but seeing him with another girl, made her, to her own disbelief, surprisingly envious.

"I…have to get some fresh air", Lauren said, excusing herself. She walked outside the door and turned right around the corner.

"I'll be back", Marcus said to Heather, making sure Sebastian kept his eyes on the menu while he sneaked out. "Hey, Lauren!" Marcus called out.

Lauren stopped in her tracks. She was wearing a short, yellow dress, her long hair was for once not tied back and her cheeks were a rosy shade of pink. "Marcus", she said plainly.

"Hey! I didn't know you were in there until I saw you come out!" he said, "So I see you're going out with Smith now, huh?" he asked.

"It looks like it's turning out that way—you're alright with that aren't you?" she asked.

He took her hand, "If you're happy with him…then I am—you are happy with him aren't you?" he asked.

His answer to her question was too perfect. "Yes, I am—and you've seemed to move on pretty quickly too—"

"Well you left me no choice!" he shot back, "…But…I really like this girl, she's… um…great".

"Oh…that's good. Well I guess now we can be friends", said Lauren, trying her best to fake optimism.

"Yeah…friends…" said Marcus bitterly, "Hug?" he asked, stretching his arms out, goofily.

"Um…sure", said Lauren looking over her shoulder in case anyone was watching. She put her arms around his neck and he put his arms around her. She felt weak in his arms but…she felt safe and secure…he was so big and strong. She didn't want to let go. They hugged for a long time, but Marcus was the first one to pull away.

"I better get back to my date", he said, walking off.

"Marcus—wait!" Lauren said.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Thanks…for understanding", she said. Marcus frowned a little and walked off without saying another word. Lauren saw Marcus' date from a far distance outside Madam Puddifoots. They walked off with their arms around each other, to Lauren's dismay.

"Marcus you had me waiting for so long! What's wrong with you?" Heather said, sulking as they walked off. Marcus knew Heather would never leave him as long as he was rich and as long as he talked to her and gave her some attention every now and then.

"Sorry, Heather—just felt sick, you know?"

"Well that place was a bore! Buy me something pretty, Marky-Pie!"

Lauren entered the store and saw that Sebastian has already ordered. "Feeling sick?" he asked Lauren.

"A little bit", she said, "But I'm feeling better now". The two finished their meal and headed back to Hogwarts. In the common room they saw Oliver with Fred and George Weasley and the other Quidditch players discussing tactics for the next game.

"Your brother's a slave driver I tell you! Wouldn't let us go off to play at Hogsmeade! We had to practice instead for God's sake!" Fred whined.

"When's the next game?" asked Lauren.

"In a month", said Fred, "We're playing Slytherin! You're going to watch, right?"

"I promised Oliver I would, so of course", Lauren said. She began to dread the next day. Thinking of Marcus being with someone else was killing her and having to see him play wouldn't help one bit.