" Please come with me Stace! Pretty please? "
" Sorry, can't. I have too much prefect stuff on me these days. Plus, there's the essay that Filtwick set us. I'm really behind on work Al! " she stated strongly.
" How bout you Jess? "
" Sorry, can't either. Some year ones asked me for help on some transfiguration work. I aren't gonna break any promises. " But I suspect she knew I was about to explode and mumbled a bit before saying " Hey Zoe! " she said, trying to stay cheerful, " You've signed the form too! How about you? "
" Uh what… oh me! " she stammered, trying to stay confused as she switched her attention from the book to us. " I… uh I need to go! " she said in a rush, slowly crawling out of her seat. " I have to go too! On Quidditch practice! " she said more loudly before turning a dashing off.
" That was weird. " I stated.
" Not really. " commented Jessica, " I mean well, that was a strange moment, but not as rare these days for Zoe over there. " she said before pointing to the Zoe that was obviously not going to Quidditch practice. " Whenever we suggested for a group activity, she pretends like she's not even there and runs off to who knows where. "
" She then either rejects it- " began Stacy.
" Or perks off quietly. " I nodded. " Now I have to say, that is weird. But anyways, I gotta go, I have Potions soon. I'll catch up to y'all's later. "
" Focus Greenland. You don't want double detention do you? "
" No professor "
Alright. To be honest, Potions wasn't really Potions. More like stare at Holly all day. But I just can't help it! You wouldn't have, would you? No one in the world would've helped that Holly is that pretty! Those Hazel eyes are just shining… ok ok! I'm awake!
" Page 361 Greenland. " came a sneering Snape, he seemed to be at the verge of explosion now. " If you get just any slower you'd be crawling on the ground. "
The class let out a burst of laughter. I ducked down immediately, my face burning with embarrassment.
" Oh cheer up! " Holly's soft voice shot me like a bullet soaring through my chest. " I'm gonna help Hagrid feed some thestrals later. I could use some help. "
" Help? " I said in a hurry. Yeah, maybe I was a bit too eager.
" Yeah… help. " mumbled Holly suspiciously " Meet you at the pumpkin patch after lunch?"
" Sure! " I said cheerfully, " I'll see you there! "
Wow. Did she just say that?
" GREENLAND. "
Oops, gotta go.
I was literally jumping by the time I've got there. But I just simply can't hold my excitement. I'm going out, with HOLLY SKYWOOD, just this AFTERNOON. I might as well die now.
As I slid down the soft patch of grass, I could feel my heart pounding like crazy. I can't wait! I immediately landed a cartwheel after I jumped to a stop.
" Not so bad for a bookworm, uh? " I froze, and suddenly, I saw Holly standing right in front of me. For the occasion, she was a wearing a jet- black T- shirt with green jeans with her honey brown hair tied in a ponytail. And somehow, she looked even more stunning that way.
" That was a good cartwheel." she offered.
" Thanks I guess? " I'm not exactly sure what to do with that information. When I was four, I was a professional leveled Gymnast. ( just something that muggles do ) back at Epsom. But since that competition back then, I've vowed to not even do even a tiny little handstand. ( Sorry, more muggle language )
" What? " she asked curiously, " That was amazing Alice! Didn't know you could do stuff like that. And not to be mean or anything, but you are mostly known as the bookworm. "
I blushed a bit before answering, " Yeah, since that competition I've had when I was younger. I stopped doing it. It always brought back memories of when- " I paused. No, no, no! Stop thinking of Lilly! She's gone now and that's that. But it's my fault isn't it? I caused it all to happen-
" Alice? " I opened my eyes and stared blankly at my hands before looking straight at Holly, her expression full of concern. It seems as though she could feel the stress inside me.
" I- I'm fine Holly. Fine. " I tried to speak, but my voice still trembled. Why am I always like this whenever someone mentions about Lilly? I mean, she is my sister, but- You know, I'll just… get it over with.
" It's ok Alice. " comforted Holly, gesturing for a hug. On several circumstances, I would've had a panic attack or fainted on the spot. But I guess that in this situation, those things get brushed aside.
" Come on, let's go to the forest. " said Holly in a cheerful tone as she hopped off with the basket in her hands, I wiped my tears away almost immediately as we entered in the forest.
The dark woods of the forest never really struck me as beautiful, but it certainly did today. The empty branches remain in their winter state as glow worms circled around them as they lit up the mysterious darkness of the woods. And just headed straight towards us were a flock of Amber- eyed, jet- black thestrals.
As Holly and I paced towards them, she eyed at me in a way I can't absorb. But she's strange that way.
" So…" she said in an obvious tone of voice as if gesturing me to continue. " What was all that about? "
I looked up. But the truth is, I don't know. And I would never know. Things are sometimes just like that I suppose.
" It's just that…" Holly tried to speak but couldn't say no more. " Is it about… look Alice, if you're not comfortable talking about it, I won't force you. Just that whenever you mention your sister, " she took a deep breath " You start acting all strange and stuff. I wanna help you Alice. We've all been through the same thing. There must be a reason why you could see the thestrals. "
I didn't look up. People've asked me this before and had eleven seemed to be the right time to talk about it. But now with Holly next to me, it felt just right.
" It was my sister. " I said, finally gathering my courage. But still, every word tasted bitter. " I was 7 when it all happened. I was at a competition with my parents and all was fine. At least until they came with the news. I was completely shocked. Like all the happiness in the world had suddenly disappeared. Right into thin air. If I hadn't been there, I could've helped. I could've done so much more. But I- " my voice cracked. And suddenly, I could feel my eyes burning, and I started to cry.
" Oh my goodness Alice. " mumbled Holly before leaning forward for a hug. And I allowed myself to lay in her arms before finally letting go. But just then, we heard a squeak behind us. " Oh don't worry, I've got more. " said Holly, half mumbling as she wiped her tears away. " It was nice, talking to you. " and there it was again. Why do emotions change so fast? My brain simply didn't allow me to have a moment to calm down. And I'm all nervous again. " I'm going alone to Hogsmeade this weekend. I was wondering if you could come? I mean I know you're busy for the O. and stuff, but is there by any chance…?"
I paused for a moment. The thought of going alone to Hogsmeade with Holly Skywood is scary. But I really don't have anyone else to go with, so why not? As I looked up, I saw Holly's face. Eager for a reply. " Ugh, fine! " I replied, exasperated. " What time? "
" OMG Ali! " squealed Stacy, " Did Holly Skywood actually ask you out? "
" Yup! " I replied cheerfully. " We're going in just a bit! "
" Alright, have fun! " said Jessica.p
" Of course. " I smiled. " Hey Zoe! Didn't catch you earlier, wanna come? I'm sure Holly won't mind! " I pleaded.
" Um… " Zoe mumbled in a whispering tone, she was still quite distant these days. " Nah, I- " she looked around desperately before continuing. " I have to study, I've been lacking behind. I'll be at the common room if you need me. " she said before hurrying off.
" Still weird? " offered Jessica.
" Devo. " I agreed. I don't know what's wrong with Zoe, but I guess we'll have to sort it out later. " Look, I gotta go guys. I'll see y'all's in a bit. " I said in a rush before fixing my newly brought pure white dress.
As I paced through the hallway, I gathered to join the queue. Ready to go Hogsmeade.
