Chapter Five
I don't speak to James all week- the longest I've ever gone without communicating with him. In the classes we share we both move desks, he stops hanging round in the common room and Anna and Fred alternate between us trying to make peace. I regularly see James and Emma together in the corridors and I hear rumours about them even more regularly. She ran into him when he was coming up from the Quidditch pitch. She thinks she loves him.
I don't care.
At Quidditch practise on Friday evening I chat to Connor, who has been a constant presence for the past few days, and James avoids addressing me whenever possible. In exasperation, Fred ignores us both and I see him muttering to Anna about us later on.
Hogwarts has gone from the one place I've ever considered home to a living hell. And all because I was stupid enough to ever think that James Potter would be interested in me. I spend ages looking in the mirror, scrutinising myself. With my long blonde waves, blue eyes and slender figure I'm forced to admit I'm far from ugly, so I accept that who I am is the reason for the rejection. Who my family is.
On Saturday I wake up too early- a pattern I've fallen into- and watch the time tick away until it's nine am and I'm due to meet Connor in the entrance hall.
He looks good, I have to admit that. He is very tall and muscular and has nice wavy hair that falls over his face. But he's not James.
'Hey, Vic,' he grins.
'Hi Connor,' I try to sound enthusiastic. This is, after all, my plan to annoy James and show the gossiping school that I don't care that he's currently sticking his tongue down Emma Thornberry's throat.
'Damn we make a good looking couple' he comments happily as we wander through the grounds towards Hogsmede.
I cringe, praying that no one heard that, especially not-
'Oh, hello, Victoria' calls a sing-song voice behind me.
'Hi Emma,' I reply in the same false tune, not turning round.
Connor ignores her; they've never gotten on since one of them rejected the other in third year. She quickens her pace so she's walking along side me, dragging James with her by the hand. I'm prepared to ignore him when he splutters, 'You're seriously seeing McLaggen, Vic? Are you out of your mind?'
'Shut up, Potter,' snaps Connor angrily, 'I can't say much for your taste or Emma's for that matter.'
And with that he takes my hand and we strut off together, both, I suspect feeling rather pleased with ourselves. He may be one of the most conceited boys in school but he's always useful for irritating James.
We chat about Quidditch for the rest of the walk then wander round a couple of shops before Connor suggests getting a drink in The Three Broomsticks. When we enter I'm surprised to see Anna and Fred occupying a table and looking very intimate, their heads bent close together. Neither of them notices me walk in which is probably a good thing since both of them have been moaning about me dating Connor non-stop these past few days.
Connor buys us both Butterbeers and we chose a table near the warm fire.
'So', he begins, smiling in his usual smug way, 'Finally saw sense and dumped Potter then?'
I'm slightly taken aback, 'James and I never dated.'
He raises his eyebrows disbelievingly, 'Really? Well anyway, at least I'm a better Quidditch player than he is.'
I can't stop myself spluttering at this; I may hate James at the moment but the thought of anyone, let alone Connor, being able to fly better than him is laughable.
Connor's face flares up, 'You don't agree?'
I'm speechless at how ridiculous this conversation is getting.
'Well, we're obviously on different pages then. You're still stuck on Potter. And you know what, Victoria? You're lucky to have this chance with me. I know my parents weren't as heroic as Potter's but at least they weren't Death Eaters.'
And with that he stands up and storms out of the pub. I'm bewildered for one moment then, without thinking, I burst out laughing for the first time in ages. And I can't stop. I realise people are watching this odd girl just sitting there giggling on her own but I find that I don't care. This disaster with Connor was just what I needed to chill out over the James situation.
Anna and Fred both hurry overlooking flustered but also worried that my sanity is slipping away.
'I'm fine,' I protest before either of them can say anything, 'Today has been hilarious. Come on, let's go to HoneyDukes.'
I see James and Emma a few more times that day but she refrains herself from saying anything to me and James just keeps his head down a bit. My good mood lasts all the way into the evening which I spend chatting with Anna, Becky Thomas and Lucy Weasley in the Common room. Then without warning, Molly- Lucy's seventh year sister- hurries through the portrait and rushes over to us.
'Vic, have you heard what Connor McLaggen had been saying about you?'
'No,' I frown.
Molly hesitates for a moment but then explains. 'He's told people that he kept trying to kiss you but you wouldn't let him and that you kept talking about James all the time.'
'What?!' I gasp.
'That's not all,' says Molly, 'He's telling people you gave him a bit of a rundown of all the boys you've dated and he's made up stuff about what you did with them.'
I can't speak from anger once again. What the hell is wrong with Connor? To moan that I was a rubbish date is one thing but to make up loads of personal stuff is completely crossing the line.
I stand up and look searchingly around the common room, 'where is he?' I ask Molly.
She shrugs, 'Not sure, probably hiding.'
'Let's get Fred to punch him!' suggests Anna with unusual enthusiasm considering her calm personality.
'No need!' announced Fred, suddenly appearing through the portrait hole and looking very pleased.
'Have you already done it?' Molly demands.
Fred shakes his head, 'Nope, but James is currently in McGonagall's office because he just knocked McLaggen out cold.'
What the hell is going on?!
