Hello
Sorry for the long wait.
School had officially started on Wednesday and this whole week had been rather busy, but do not fear here is another chapter from yours truly. :D
This chapter is for my best friend Michaela, who usually gives me random ideas in our completely irrelevant conversations.
Thanks to all those who reviewed the last chapter, it was lovely to read... AS ALWAYS!
SO here you are...
Chapter 22
I walked down the stairs with grace and dignity…
Joke, it was more like tumbling and slipping on the newly waxed floor and the fact that I was lost in thought didn't help either but then again balance has always been a slight-huge- issue. But do not fear, for Aurora has awesome reflexes! Okay, that doesn't rhyme at all, let's blame it on the nerves and my forever guilty conscious. My hand started trembling with nerves and guilt.
Aurora, get your act straight. You are writing an important test today and bursting out in tears half way through the examination is not the best way to go, just saying.
I nodded, agreeing with myself, I guess this really meant that I was crazy. Nice to know.
I stopped half way on the stairs, took in another deep breath trying to focus on anything that would calm my emotions and not make them the damn Mixed Emotions Express, if you catch my drift? I rubbed my now bruised elbow. Stupid stairs, stupid clumsiness, stupid vam-
BANANA!
Why don't you get straight bananas? Really, I have never seen a straight banana, I must admit that it would be a little weird if I one day I walked right up to the fruit basket threw my hand in and yanked out a straight banana, probably end up in hospital with shock. That would be funny a hell.
I let out a sigh of relief and jumped the last three steps, Mrs. Potter hates when we do that, " If you want to end up in St Mungo's Hospital with a cracked skull, be my guest! But you mark my words; I will make sure that you are given no headache potions or tablets at all." Rough stuff I tell you. So, obviously we do it as often as possible, even Mr. Potter does it occasionally which earns him a whack on the head by an angry mother goose, poor man, that's why James yelled, "Do it again!".
I walked into the bright, sun-filled kitchen, how could it be so sunny at six o'clock in the morning? It was unnatural and just cruel. I squinted slightly as the brightness of the kitchen reached my eyes. Dammit.
"Morning!"
I jumped back in surprise.
WHAT THE HELL!
I looked at everyone there, all my tutors, The Potters, Scorpius, Rose, Fred and Victoria. After I had gotten over the internal shock, clutching my chest in panic. HONESTLY? Do these people want me to have a heart attack or go grey? Slimy little buggers. I suddenly sympathized for Mrs. Potter; this was what she had to go through every day of her life…
However, she was a mother, she was trained in the military to deal with these things.
"No swearing this time, I see room for improvement." Ron grinned and everyone laughed.
"Speak for yourself, now what do we do with her if she no longer provides entertainment?" Fred asked, highly disappointed.
I rolled my eyes, "You could always use me as an Idiot Detector, and then I can slap them for you. Oh, look my first victim." I slapped him across the head.
He crossed his arms, looking very much like an irritated toddler, "What is up with woman and all the hitting?" He mumbled and stalked away, I grinned happily.
"What is up with men and all their stupidity?" Victoria asked.
I laughed and gave her a high-five. What? That was funny. I looked around the kitchen at all the guests, still confused about why they were all here. I mean, I walk into the kitchen at six o'clock in the morning. All I wanted was cereal maybe eggs; instead, I got a whole family reunion. Great-no. I looked around at everyone laughing, smiling and talking. What is up with that? It's not that I am not a morning person, but you should consider it a major achievement if you receive more than four words from me and now I was expected to parade around as though I am happy. What a beautiful morning this is turning out to be, that was sarcasm my dear friends.
"Hermione and Ginny thought ," THIS CAN NEVER BE TOO GOOD, " that you would enjoy," OH GREAT THEY ARE EXPECTING, " being distracted this morning." Victoria informed me.
WHA- Aww, never mind that was actually very sweet and kind. I needed distractions this morning; I needed a whole load of them. With the stress of the exams and the nightmar-
NO! Umm, round apples! Why do you not have a square apple or a square something? One of my favorite geometric shapes is being discriminated against. THE HORROR! THE SHAME! Come on, you must have noticed. Have you ever seen a square fruit and no, boxed fruit is not an acceptable answer. You get a triangular shaped fruit; well you get a pears' which in this case is a triangle with curvy sides. You get oval ones, pineapple for example. Then you get rectangular ones- NO Wait, you don't! I swear they just hate corners. But, you mark my words, one day I will find a square fruit! I will-
"So, they couldn't come."" Victoria said.
What? Oh crap, this always happens! Stupid brain, never paying attention to what people are saying. I swear it will be the death of me. I might be in the middle of a battle and someone might have said, "Duck!" so that I avoid a fast coming spell, but I will never know because my brain is busy debating whether or not cucumber is a fruit or vegetable. Oh, great! I have my death planed out for me.
I arranged my face so that it looked like I was paying attention the whole time, "Yes, how unfortunate."
Victoria frowned and looked at me funny, "Are you alright? Do you need to go to the bathroom or something?"
I mentally slapped myself. Wonderful, now looked like a constipated giraffe. Next time Aurora you come straight out and say you blanked out, you don't pretend that you understand, either way you look equally stupid.
"I am okay. Bladder empty and all." I grinned. Yes. It is early, so I think I have now gone crazy. NO GRINNING! Never mind, I can't stop. Moving on, "I think it's obvious that Hermione and Mrs. Potter did this."
I motioned to all the people here. Hmm, I guess their kitchen was actually a lot bigger than I originally thought.
Victoria laughed, "Well the boys wouldn't have thought to put this together."
I chuckled, "Men remain oblivious."
And with that we both just laughed and laughed.
I guess you think that might be a little biased and you might be a little offended, but come on! When was the last time a boy paid attention to every detail concerning you? Hmm?
And if you do know a guy who does, please tell him to contact me so that I can ask him what strange concoction his parents fed him when he was a baby. I mean, for all we know he could be a spy and uses his charms to kidnap women and send them off to an isolated island in the middle of the ocean where he locks them up in a room and they are forced to do his laundry.
Like I said: We will never know.
I chuckled; sometimes I was too funny for my own good. Just saying.
"Aurora?" I heard Mrs. Potter call me from the other side of the room, well I think it was her, there were many heads in the way. But I went to look for her anyway. After saying about a hundred Hello's to the happy rises- weird family- I had finally arrive at my destination: Mrs. Potter.
"Good Morning, dear." She grinned happily (why?) and hugged me.
"Morning." I said, lacking my always –present – morning enthusiasm.
She held me out at arm's length and studied me for a moment. WHAT?
"Are you okay?" She asked, in her motherly tone.
I thought about it for a moment.
I was tired, hungry, sad, emotional and rather drained because of last night's situation, so obviously okay was the last thing I was. Not like, I was going to tell her that, "Yeah, never better."
I added a smile at the end.
She raised her eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
I nodded, not really paying attention. Don't think about it!
"Yeah, why?" I asked, avoiding her eyes.
"Well when you walked ," I do that a lot, " in this morning," OH NO, " you looked very pale," PLEASE , " and couldn't help but wonder," DON'T WONDER, " if it was about the nightmare last night." She finished.
I felt the tears as it started forming and a ball rising at the back of my throat. I looked down at the floor, pretending something was in my eye. I stared at the wooden floors.
Pretty floors…
Pretty floors…
Nothing happened.
Screw you pretty floors.
I tried to swallow down the ball in my throat and blink away the tears.
THERE WAS NOTHING YOU CAN DO! I screamed to myself, but I could feel the lie in them. I could have done more. I could have been quicker, fought harder, I should have taken him with, but I didn't. I took in a deep breath, Daniel is dead. The other brother is most likely dead too, but I wasn't. I have a chance to live and make my life as normal as possible. I had to be strong.
I mentally shook myself, I could cry later but right now, I had to pretend that everything was fine in this beautiful and magical world of ours. You see, I can't even comfort myself.
"Aurora?" Mrs. Potter called out to me softly.
This is it.
I put on the best fake grin I could muster and chuckled, "Sorry, I just had something in my eye."
Mrs. Potter raised her eyebrow quizzically.
JUST BELIEVE IT!
"Mrs. Potter, I really am fine. Like you said last night, it was just a nightmare. It wasn't real."
I have to be honest, that was the only part of Mr. and Mrs. Potters' comforting that I actually did hear. You would also be a little hysterical if you had that dream.
"So, when we eating?" I asked, clapping my hands together in anticipation. No, I was not trying to change the subject- I WAS changing the subject.
She grinned, "Now if you like, we didn't want to start without you. For obvious reasons."
I laughed, that would have actually been very amusing. I walk into the kitchen and see everyone in eating breakfast without me. I grab a plate and start to dish up breakfast, sit down and start talking to the person next to me. After a while he realizes who he was talking to (lets blame it on morning stupidity) and nudges the person next to him while I am devouring my eggs (EGGS ARE GOOD) and just as I am about to take another bite, everyone jumps up into the air and screams , " MORNING!" and I get so confused that I just carry on eating my eggs, feeling sorry for the bloke who they are throwing the surprise breakfast for.
Shame…
"May I have your attention?" Mr. Potter called and everyone quieted down, "Good! Just a small announcement: Breakfast is served."
And as usual, the men was at the serving table before the words left his mouth. I waited in line for them to finish, more like grabbed what I could before it all finished, so basically, I was stuck with a slice of toast, cucumbers and jam. So, toast and jam go well together, but I am not sure about the cucumbers, best eat those separately. I was sort of disappointed that I wasn't able to get my French toast. FRENCH TOAST RULES and is sort of my addiction. Even thinking about the warmness and the texture of it made my mouth water. I looked all over for it, but sadly most of the dishes were empty or at least getting there. He who stole my French toast is sentenced to death! However until I found the culprit, I must eat.
I sat down at the newly lengthen table, actually I plonked down on an open chair. Lady like? No, but who cares about what is or what is not appropriate at this hour. I looked around at all the guest, unsure if I could start eating or had to wait for everyone else to have a seat. Everyone was still dishing up or at least trying to find food to dish up, I guess I should be happy with my jam, toast and cucumber. Maybe I could put the cucumber on my jam sandwich, might be surprisingly delicious, but I severely doubt it.
"Seat taken by anybody?"
I looked up to see Albus who was smiling with - from what I could see from down here- a mountain of food. Hmm, I guess having a nice, full plate of food was reason enough to smile.
I looked at the seat next to me and said sarcastically, "Well yes, it is reserved."
He rolled his eyes behind the glasses, "And who might it be reserved for?"
I pretended to think about it, "My imaginary friend."
He chuckled and plonked himself down, you see I am not the only one that does that.
" Hey! That's my friend you're sitting on!" I hissed angrily.
My poor imaginary friend.
Albus flicked me (WHO STILL DOES THAT?), "Tell her to go sit somewhere else."
I smirked and winked at him suggestively, "Who said it was a girl?"
Albus spat out his coffee in shock, "What?"
I ruffled his dark hair, it was surprisingly soft, "It's alright Albus. I am just surprised that you roll like that is all, when do you plan on coming out of the closest?"
I faked innocence, MWAHAHAHA!
"Now aren't you just so funny." He said sarcastically.
I silently smirked to myself.
"No, I am your friend." I put my hand on his shoulder and looked him straight in the eye, I had never seen anything greener than his eyes and I do not think I ever will. I mentally shook myself out of my odd thoughts, " And as your friend I advise you to tell your parents, they deserve to know and if you are scared I can always be come with you, but you needn't worry, they will carry on loving you. Sure they might be in shock, but once that wears off they will continue to love you as their homo-"
He smirked, "I have a girlfriend you know?"
"Hoping to change the subject?" I asked raising my eyebrow. PUH-LEASE, did he honestly think that was going to work?
He grinned, "Yes."
"You still promised me you will tell me about her." I gasped, having remembered.
He put his head in his hands and moaned. Poor boy, can't say I feel sorry for him. He just shook his head and remained silent.
I frowned, "You promised me at Mr. Potters party that you would tell me."
He looked up at me and smirked, "I said I would tell you the next day."
Damn, he got me.
"Yes," I said slowly, "but I forgot, so spill."
He laughed, "Not my fault you have a bad memory."
" Urg! Thanks, that's just what I need to hear on the morning of an exam." I wacked him over the head and then banged my head on the table.
Stupid nerves.
Stupid nerves.
He pulled on my upper arms and said with a small, sheepish smile, "Carry on like that and you are going to lose a couple of brain cells."
"Can't really afford to do that or there would be none left." I mumbled.
Silence.
I thought back over what I just said, something didn't sound right… OH CRACKERS!
Albus burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking viciously against me
I folded my arms and pouted, "That's not what I meant."
He just laughed harder and grinned, "No, that was exactly what you meant."
"No, it was just morning stupidity." I tried to explain; actually, it was more like trying not to hit him.
Hitting is bad, wrong, and not illegal… HEY! I can do it!
I raised my hand in the process…
"Morning stupidity?" Albus frowned.
I paused.
" Yes smarty, morning stupidity." I scoff.
He laughed again, "Why?"
Now it was my turn to frown in confusion. Honestly, couldn't he elaborate on the matter.
"Why why?" I asked, that didn't sound right for some reason.
He smirked, "It is obvious that I have the upper hand in this conversation."
WHAT?
He honestly thinks that he- Oh, hell no. What in Fred's' dirty socks name is he on about? He probably saw the outraged expression present on my forever-happy morning face.
"Well, you were the one who said that you were suffering from morning stupidity-"
I interrupted him, "I may suffer from morning stupidity, but you suffer from stupidity in general."
Silence as we both stared at each other wondering if we should apologize or not…
I flicked him.
"WHAT?" he screamed.
Oh come on, it was only a flick and it is not as if he didn't deserve it, his flicks hurt and besides he was being mean. You see it is not payback, it is simply … Never mind.
"Why?" He asked angrily.
I grinned at him, "For my imaginary friend."
I laughed at his annoyed face and even after he also started laughing, until he decided that revenge was the best option for me, you see I didn't do revenge , such a bad mannered child he is.
Flick.
OH NO HE DID NOT!
I turned to him, "You did not just do that?"
He just carried on laughing, the nerve of this child. However, I was going to be mature about this and not fall for his childish ways, so I warned him.
"I have a very capable hand here and I am not afraid to use it." I warned him, raising my eyebrow.
This was going to work, I knew it. He would not be an idiot and ignore my warnings.
Flick.
ATTACK!
I don't know how it happened but we both ended up taking two chairs each in order to attack and escape each others' grip. We both wriggled and tried to squirm away from the others hold, laughing our heads and throwing random threats to each other. I am not sure if it was decided it, but both of us left our breakfasts alone. FOOD IS TOO GOOD TO WASTE!
I was laughing my head off after Albus fell of his chair, trying to flick me, but I the ever so wonderful managed to skillfully dodge him and that led to the funniest thing I had ever seen.
"GET A ROOM!" I heard Fred yell.
Wait, when did he get here? OH- RIGHT! The surprise breakfast party. I wonder where everyone else is-
Oh…
All their eyes were looking at us. Watching the way to awesome flicking fight going on and could obviously see that I was the winner or just watching…
WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME?
Albus' head appeared in their view, his mouth formed a 'o'.
Silence.
Well, for some reason this was actually very awkward, don't ask me why though because it just was. I wasn't sure if we were doing something wrong or not appropriate.
Mrs. Potter suddenly appeared in front of me with a huge camera, I never really found camera's all that interesting, maybe it was because I hated being in them or because I just didn't like them in general.
"Say cheese!" She screamed and before we could even blink, a bright white light blinded us, I will be honest and say that I thought something went wrong and we were now dead, that was scary.
"Mom." Albus moaned, I open my eyes and through the blurriness of it all say Albus clutching his eyes.
Both he and I blinked furiously, still seeing white.
I stopped and squinted at Albus, "Give up, we are now officially blind."
He carried on blinking, "At least it was for a good reason."
I frowned, looking at the blurry white figure in front of me, "And what's that?"
Even when I am half blink I can still see his smirking face, "I now have a picture of my existing victory."
I gasped and pointed at a blurry figure.
"YOU-" I started to scream.
"Wrong person, to the left." Scorpius stated.
"Sorry," I apologized and moved to the left.
Great, I lost my thunder. All right, you are angry, got it.
"YOU, " I started again, " LIE!"
He just laughed, "It's no point to point at me, not like I can exactly see it."
I snickered and attacked in that direction- don't ask me where, but it was somewhere vaguely in that direction. I leaped of my chair and jumped in the direction of his voice. Now this isn't the best way to attack someone, no not because you shouldn't attack anyone in the first place, but because when you are half blind you tend to misjudge distances, I am just saying.
I collided with something hard and chuckled evilly when I heard'oomph'.
I cackled, "THREE POINTS FOR AURORA, POTTER IS DEFEATED!"
" NO! THAT COUNTED FOR NOTHING." He bellowed back.
"NAH-AH!" I disagreed, sounding more and more like a child.
"YES! NOW GET OFF YOU FLYING MONKEY!" He argued.
I grinned and made myself comfortable, not that I really had to try seeing, as it was rather nice lap… Anyway, I just grinned and said, " Make me."
Now, to be honest I didn't think he would do anything, even if he did I probably would have stayed just to see what he did. DAMN YOU CURIOSITY AND MORNING STUPIDITY! So, to the ground we both went. Yes, I brought him down with me, if I was going down he was coming down with me.
'Oomph' was heard for second time that day as both of us collided with the floors. The floors might be pretty, but damn they hurt a lot. I opened my eyes and found everything clear.
"I CAN SEE!" I grinned, looking around happily. All was not lost- or blurry in this case- but it was with a new sight (literally) that I saw the world. I looked down at Albus who was blinking furiously behind his glasses; he caught me looking and grinned.
"Like what you see?" He smirked.
Hehehe.
"Yes, and it is something called victory." I stuck my tong out at him, yes, it was childish, but this is also coming from the person who also had a flicking fight with someone, so hit me… No, rather not.
He rolled his eyes, "You are delusional and crazy."
I just rolled my eyes, " Shut up, Potter."
"Make me." He challenged.
"KISS HIM! KISS HIM! KISS HIM!" I heard loud chants from above us.
I stood up- yes, I gave up and no, it wasn't because I wouldn't be able to look at Albus without blushing after they said that. I dusted myself off and looked at the bunch of children who were making this very awkward, they were going to get a little Aurora tackle if they carried on.
"KISS HER! KISS HER!" Scorpius, Roxanne , Lily and of course the two idiots that were conducting the whole thing Fred and James.
I raised my eyebrow threateningly, silently hoping that they would mistake my blush for perspiration, both looking equally good on me… SARCASM.
"I will tackle you, I promise." I informed them; see no threats, how kind.
They kept their mouths shut after that and I was suddenly aware of how loud my stomach was grumbling. I looked down at Albus and tapped him with my toe, "Hurry up, Slitherout I am starving."
He stared at me, "What did you call me?"
I reached down and helped him up, completely ignoring the question.
"So, breakfast?" I asked looking around at all the watchful people, acting as though nothing out of the ordinary just happened. It was rather fun, I should do it with him more often, but between school and Albus going to see his girlfriend these past few days we really have been spending so much time together… Not. It was annoying. He was my friend and even though he usually dropped in my classes just to come say hi or ridicule me in my practices, it wasn't the same. Most nights he didn't come home until late and was to tired or in too much of a bad or good mood to do much or make much conversation. So, Rose and Scorpius was my second choice, they were usually around and are really funny, but they too seem to have an agenda of their own. Lily was either with Mrs. Potter learning about medicine or potions, James was always with Fred and Roxanne and I was always in class, damn I have a good social life. I once asked Rose about Albus' girlfriend, she just put on this annoyed expression and rolled her eyes, I took that as a ' she is awesome' answer… NOT!
Everyone just laughed and took their seats, Mrs. Potter moved me to the other side of the table, facing Albus. I don't know why, probably thought we were going to get into another childish fight, she was so right. So I sat down next to Scorpius and Victoria with my pathetic excuse for a breakfast, someone stole my cucumber (OKAY, I ATE IT) and the jam was currently MIA, what a hard breakfast. However, I sat my chair, chewing on my plain toast, which wasn't half bad. Maybe it fell on the floor, I thought about for a moment. It could have happened, well it is not impossible. I looked down at the floor, only to see that the white tablecloth was covering any possible hiding places. I leaned back in my chair, trying to see if I could do this without having to actually climb under the table. Hmm, I guess not.
Sigh.
I tried again, going down further on my seat, still not-
"Aurora?"
I looked up to see Scorpius looking at me strangely. Well, I would too if I saw this, probably looked like the biggest idiot ever.
I sat up slowly, trying- in vain- to make it look as though I hadn't moved an inch down my seat.
"Yes?" I smiled sweetly.
Act innocent, he will not suspect a thing.
His eyes narrowed, "Are you alright?"
What was up with people and asking me that this morning? I probably looked like rubbish if that seemed to be the question of the day. It was probably the hair, never a good hair day.
I looked around, hoping to pull of that yes- why-wouldn't- I-be expression, "Yes."
Don't ask.
"What were you doing then?" he asked, eyeing me strangely.
DAMN HE ASKED.
"I-" Paused, looking around for an inspiration or a lie, pick? "I dropped something."
Good lie, brilliant, he will not question that at all, it is flawless.
"What did you drop?" He asked again, almost challenging.
I paused, what did I drop, obviously I couldn't say my jam that would just sound weird.
"My fork?" Now even to me that sounded like a question, as if asking for his permission.
He frowned, "Why?"
Yes Aurora, why do you need a fork for toast?
"Good question, Scorp." Albus interrupted us, "What I am curious about is why you called me Slitherout?"
There were chocking noises around the tables as people heard my nickname-mistake, but as far as they are concerned, it was on purpose and let them think that.
"Slitherout?" Scorpius asked flabbergasted.
Everyone was now staring at me. AWKWARD. Look away, look away.
Albus smirked at the blush forming on my cheeks, "Yes."
Shut up.
A few people chuckled, I am going to go on a whim and say that they were not Slytherins and the ones that were not saying anything and looked rather upset about it, were. This is what I get for having such a big mouth. Thank goodness, I wasn't sitting next to one.
"Slytherin is the best house Hogwarts has," Scorpius insisted. I looked at him, never mind I was definitely sitting next one. How is that for awkward?
Mr. Malfoy nodded along, oh damn him too! Just shoot me now. Now not only have I injured him, but insulted one of the things he was very passionate about. Life hates me.
I just sat there awkwardly, fiddling with my thumbs, unsure of what to do. Let them rant, until I had an idea.
" I don't know why you take it so personally. I make fun of most of the house." They all paused, staring at me, I hurried on, "Like Gryffindor is Gryffinwindow." Cue a LOUD gasp, alright there are a lot of Gryffindors here, " Hufflepuffs are Beaversnuffs, " A few gasps, Teddy among them, damn, " And Ravenclaws are Birdbrainclaws."
I looked at the faces around the table; all of them were equally peeved. So, I was wrong to think that they might be comforted at the idea that I make fun of all of them. Hmm, I guess I can say that they are not my biggest fans.
(Insert awkward silence and death glares)
I looked over at Albus who seemed to be dying of laughter and threw him the most evil of glares that I have ever had to give, he winked at me and casually said, "I like the Gryffinwindow."
All those who were not in Gryffindor burst out laughing and they all started to discuss which ones they enjoyed the most. Whew, that was close. I would have said thanks to Albus, but let us not forget who go me in this mess in the first place.
"Which house do you want to be in Aurora?" Neville asked me and the nervous feeling in my stomach started to intensify. The test! I looked at him calmly, trying to ignore my sweaty hands.
"I don't know, with those names none of them sound that appealing." I chuckled and he joined in, only difference was that mine was fake.
"But besides that, which one?" He asked curiously.
I didn't know, they all sounded like they expected so much of you and it is not like I am the most average person, I just didn't think that I could belong in a house to which standards are present.
"I don't know, trying not to think about it. I want it to be a surprise when it happens." I lied, I have thought about it for the past week, doing extra research in books from both the Potters and Hermione's library and yet it made no difference to my thirst of knowledge.
The rest of breakfast carried on without a hitch, I sat there and made light conversation with everyone, but I was nervous and almost paralyzed with it. I didn't eat the rest of my dry toast and could hardly keep down the part that I did eat and soon enough people were wishing me good luck. Most of the adults had to go to work or had to run some errands, but promised to drop by later. Some of the children were going to friends houses and I was staying here. I put on a smile and acted as though I was not at the last bit worried. After most people left and Mrs. And Mr. Potter went to go get ready for a meeting with the Minister, I was left alone with only my thoughts to keep me company.
I got frustrated and went to walk outside, trying not to think of the upcoming test. This was it, the big one. I breathed in, sat on the garden bench under an old oak tree, and closed my eyes.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Crunch.
I opened my eyes, the sunlight shining through the trees casting interesting patterns on the ground. I saw Teddy watching me from under the trees protection.
"Hello." He smiled at me and I smiled back. Teddy was one of my favorite teachers, he acted out the wars that shaped the wizarding world, making it so funny that it was hard to forget.
"Hello." I croaked, my throat felt funny.
His eyes narrowed for a second, "Mind if I sit?"
I nodded and moved over not finding it in myself to speak, he sat down and was quiet for a few minutes. We both listened to the wind as it rustled the leaves in the trees, the birds in the trees around us and the lake nearby, it did not calm me down fully, but it did help.
"What time are you writing?" he asked casually for my side.
I breathed in, trying to stay calm, "In twenty minutes or so."
Silence.
"Are you nervous?" Teddy asked.
YES! I wanted to scream, but I didn't and just settled for a shrug.
"That's not an answer." He stated.
I swallowed and for some reason told him the truth, "Dead scared."
He put his arm around me and winced at the smell, though it did help blur my mind. He seemed to remember and let me go.
"Sorry, I forgot about the smell thing." He smiled apologetically.
"After spending so many lessons with you, I guess you could say that I am becoming immune." I informed him.
He chuckled, "Great, well there goes my only form of for punishment for you."
I tried to chuckle, but it just came out like a disgusting noise and we were silent again. For some unknown reason I felt the urge to just speak to him about my problem, to poor my heart out and so before I could stop myself I did. I told him about my fear of this test and how I might forget everything, the fact that they might not accept me, the fear of going to a school in the first place. After I had done ranting, he kept quiet for a few moments, deep in thought.
"You know what you need?" He asked.
I nodded, "Yes, another one of those calming potions Mrs. Potter has."
He chuckled for a moment and then said seriously, "No, not that. What you need is a motivation."
I turned and stared at him, absolutely confused, "I do, the need to learn more is my motivation."
He shook his head, "No, I don't mean that. I mean, a person. Someone who you will dedicate your time, strength and stamina for. Someone who you look up to, a motivation."
I thought about and then of all the names or titles of them. I gave a weak chuckle, "Which one?"
"Anyone." He said.
I thought about it for a moment and immediately the two names popped in my head the Archer brothers.
I smiled at Teddy and he smiled back.
"I know who I am going to do this for." I declared, but kept the names to myself. I thought of their faces, though blurry, and how they could not write these tests…
I was doing this for them and for some reason as soon as I thought that, I wasn't as nervous anymore. I actually felt calm-ish.
I grinned at Teddy and he said, "You better get going, it is almost time."
I took a deep breath and stood up, shaking a lot. I was about to bid him goodbye when he grinned at me, "Who's the man?"
I stared at him, confused, "You are?"
He shook his head, "No, who's the man?"
I looked at him unsure, "Definitely not me, I am a girl."
Now he just laughed, "No, you are. You are the man. You are."
I felt my mouth form into a 'o' shape.
"Who's the man?" He asked again.
"I am!" I yelled, feeling an unknown energy come over me.
He laughed, "Now go, solider."
I nodded and ran away, hearing a vague good luck.
I ran through the house, thinking about my motivation and for the first time I didn't feel sad, I felt inspired. I was almost there when I turned ran around the corner and straight into someone, both of us falling to the ground.
I looked at the figure and immediately recognized him.
"Sorry, Albus." I muttered, standing up and then helped him.
He just laughed and said, "That's not the first time that has happened today."
I laughed too; the discussion with Teddy really helped lighten the weight on my shoulders.
"I guess you are off to write your test?" He asked casually, putting his hands in his pocket.
"No, I am going to go count unicorn droppings." I said sarcastically.
He just rolled his eyes ad dug for something inside his pockets, "Well, I have something for you."
I eyed him suspiciously, "And what is that?"
He grinned and extracted something from the pocket, "For you."
He handed it to me and it was …
My jam .
I looked at it curiously, until it all clicked.
"You stole my jam." I gasped, staring at the small little jar that could have made all the difference to my toast.
He laughed, "Stole is such a strong word, kept it until another use for it made itself present is more like it."
I looked deep into his eyes, "I had to have plain toast."
He laughed, "Nothing can ever be plain to you."
I laughed, true that.
He grinned, satisfied, "I knew you would laugh."
I smiled, "I needed a laugh."
He hesitated for a moment before he hugged me.
I closed my eyes and just allowed the heat, smell and calmness of him to pour over me. It felt as though it was really going to go well today while I was in his arms. We both just stood there, not moving or talking to each other and yet everything was being said. I broke away, when I heard the clock bang on the hour and realized that I was late.
I looked at Albus and my jam and grinned happily, knowing it would go well, " Got to go."
I quickly picked up a pencil that fell out when I … fell.
He laughed at my rushed expression, "Good luck," he paused, "Though you won't need it."
I grinned at him, "I know."
He seemed surprised at the confidence in my voice, "And why is that, besides you being clever enough to pass these tests with ease."
I blushed at his compliment and screamed, "Because I am the man."
I turned around leaving him in my dust with a bewildered expression on his face. I ran to the library, clutching the jar to my chest and adding Albus to my motivational list. And just as I reached the door that led to my examination room, I gave my jam jar one more hug.
Daniel, Archer and Albus this is for you.
And with that I opened the library's door.
Soooooooo?
What do you guys think?
PLEASE, PLEASE TELL ME!
The more reviews i get, the closer we get to meeting Albus' girlfriend... Arent you curious? ;D
So R&R
Thanks for reading
Prongslet4life
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