Chapter Four

No, no, no. It can't be him. It can't be her. Not Emma Thornberry. He's too good for her, or at least I'd thought he was. Maybe not.

I don't know what to do, so I turn and run back to Gryffindor Tower, through the portrait and straight up to my dormitory. I hear a few people shout my name but I ignore them and throw myself down on my bed waiting for the tears to arrive.

The door squeaks open behind me and I hear light footsteps approach me.

'Vic? What happened?' asks Anna gently.

I'm so angry with him, with myself that my voice sounds like a growl, 'I saw him kissing Emma Thornberry.'

Anna is clearly stunned into silence for a moment. She claps her hands to her face, 'Oh Vic, I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. I'm going to kill Fred.'

I shake my head and blink back the tears, 'No, it's mine. All mine. I can't believe I was stupid enough to ever think that James Potter would want to date me. Why would he?'

Anna frowns at me in annoyance, 'Because Vic you and him are closer than anyone else in Hogwarts, because you're really pretty, really nice and a great Quidditch player. You're not the problem. What the hell is he thinking? I mean, Emma Thornberry!'

I shrug and collapse back onto my bed, 'Whatever, him and me aren't going to happen.'

And a moment later I'm asleep from sheer exhaustion.

I wake too early the next morning and have nothing to do but sit and think about what I saw last night. Was it the first time? He seemed to really dislike her on the train so what was he doing snogging her?

The hours tick by slowly and as soon as it hits seven I rush down to breakfast before anyone else, not wanting to see him. Or Fred or Anna who know all about my humiliation.

I reach the main hall and stop in my tracks as I see James and Emma entwined at the Gryffindor table. Ugh, did they even go to bed? Suddenly rage flares up inside me. James has always flirted with me, always led me to believe that I'm the girl he's closest to and now he's with someone who constantly makes me feel guilty over my family.

'Hey, Vic, you're up early.'

I spin round and see Scorpius standing in the doorway.

'Oh, hi,' I say flatly.

'You okay?'

His eyes stray over to James and Emma and widen in shock, 'No way!'

I just shrug my shoulders and stride out of the hall, my appetite gone. Would it be possible to curse Harry Potter's son and get away with it? Probably not.

'Vic!'

Once again I turn round and this time I come face to face with James. He's smiling the same as usual, acting as though nothing has happened. As though he's not been snogging the girl who hates me.

'So, I was thinking we could hang out this afternoon, you have a free lesson after-'

James doesn't get to finish his sentence because without realising what I'm doing I slap him across the face. I've not got enough strength for it to really hurt but I see him wide eyed with shock before I flounce off.

God that felt good.

As I stomp back up the stairs I literally bump into Connor McLaggen. I brush past him then a moment later stop and swing round.

'Hey, Connor!' I shout, 'Fancy going to Hogsmede this weekend?'

He smiles smugly, 'I knew you liked me Vic. Definitely.'

Let's see how James bloody Potter likes that.