A gust of strong wind blew sharply through my dormitory, waking me up very suddenly. I sat bolt upright, staring wildly around my bedroom. My shock wore off soon after I saw the window of my room open. I looked around the room, seeing that my room-mates were gone, like usual... Did they leave it open on purpose? Or did it just open by itself? With some effort, I closed the window.
It was rainy that day, and there was a very strong wind fiercely blowing against the school I called home. I didn't mind the fierce weather, but the only down-side was that the common room was packed with people who weren't able to go out into the grounds. Usually I would have minded the crowd, but today I didn't mind very much. I lingered in a corner, watching my house-mates talk animatedly.
No one asked me to join in their conversations, and it didn't bother me in the slightest. Alone was how I usually liked to be.
From time to time, I glanced over at Neil. Curiosity pulsed through me; I had not asked him if his mother was indeed my favorite author. He was talking with his friends, hanging upside-down from an armchair. He laughed from time to time, ruffling his hair. He didn't resemble Jane Griffith very much, but a few features did remind me of him.
I didn't dare approach him now, with so many people watching. Besides, his friends were there too, and they would probably tease me about it. Neil seemed cheerful, but not completely ecstatic, which was a good thing. He was calm, and seemed very kind. I couldn't help but smile as I watched him; he seemed like such a good person. A hole in my heart re-opened as I thought of Scorpius, and I felt my spirits plunder slightly.
After sitting sadly by myself for a while, I got up, leaving the cluttered common room behind me. I blindly walked down the steps that led out of the room, and sank to the floor next to the portrait. Why did the slightest thought of Scorpius make me want to break down and cry? I hugged my knees to my chest, sighing.
The portrait door open, but I didn't bother to look up. It was probably someone who would just ignore me, and I silently stayed where I was. I didn't look up until I realized that the person was standing in front of me. I caught my breath entirely as I saw that Neil was standing in front of me. I smiled slightly, my timid streak playing up. "Hello," I said weakly.
He looked concerned. "You okay?" He offered me a hand, intending that I would take it.
I didn't, just remained where I was. "I'm fine, thanks." My voice was muffled by the scarf I was wearing that covered my mouth.
He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, shifting his weight from one foot to another. "Why are you here all alone?"
I shrugged. "I don't mind being alone...." I said quietly. The last thing I wanted was to be pitied.
Instead of walking away, he sat down next to me, smiling. "Don't you have any friends to hang out with?"
His tone wasn't accusing, just curious. I shook my head. "No, I don't have any friends." I wasn't trying to sound melodramatic, but why shouldn't I tell the truth?
Neil's eyes softened, and he smiled encouragingly at me. His smile was so contagious that I couldn't help but smile myself.
Suddenly I realized that this was the perfect opportunity to ask him if his mother was Jane. "Neil-" I began, but a shadow was cast upon us, and it cut my voice off.
I glanced up to see who was standing before us, and my mouth dropped open as I realized it was Scorpius. He looked disturbed, and a frown was etched on his face. I was slightly confused- why did he look angry that I was talking to someone else?
"Hello Lily," Scorpius said in a strained voice.
I blinked, feeling uncomfortable at his tone. I would prefer being with Neil at the moment, if he was going to take this attitude. "Hi." My tone matched his unfriendly voice.
Neil looked uncomfortable, staring at Scorpius. "Malfoy." He greeted him.
Scorpius sniffed. "Griffith." He turned to me again. "Well I'll be off then, I suppose, I don't want to intrude."
I opened my mouth to protest, but Neil answered for me.
"Don't worry, you can stay," Neil said quietly. "I'll see you later then, Lily." He seemed reluctant to leave, but he softly walked into the common room again. I didn't like seeing him leave, especially since Scorpius seemed angry.
Scorpius leaned against the wall, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That guy seems like a jerk."
Shock kept me quiet. The Scorpius I used to know wouldn't insult people. Had Rose influenced him? "He's perfectly nice," I said bravely.
He glanced down at me, his eyes curious. "His mother is some author, I heard."
I glanced up sharply. "Really?" I asked, pretending to not have known this. "What's her name?"
He shook his head. "I don't know," he said quickly. "But why were you with him just now?" His tone was suspicious.
I blinked, and traced my finger along my knee. "Why not? There's no one else for me to hang out with..." I hoped he would catch my hint.
Scorpius sighed. "If this is about me hanging out with Rose..." He began in an irritated voice.
I cut him off. "No, Scorpius. It's not about you hanging out with Rose." Did he think I was a jealous person? I wouldn't let him get the better of me, so I stood up. "It's the fact that you ditched me the moment she came." I was amazed at my own bravery.
He looked shocked. "Ditched you? I didn't ditch you!"
"Then what did you do?" I asked quietly, my timid self returning.
Scorpius seemed at loss for words. "I...well maybe I did sort-of ditch you..."
I didn't speak, just waited for him to continue.
"...I didn't think you would mind..." His voice was full of regret. "But I can't really hang out with both of you, and well... Rose is something else." He had a dreamy look on his face for a moment, and my eyes filled with tears.
I couldn't believe the disappointment I felt after he said those words. He liked Rose! Not me! I wanted to break down and cry, but I couldn't. I didn't- couldn't- believe what I had heard.
Why was I so affected by it? Was I in love with Scorpius? I didn't think so, but it made me wonder.
Scorpius must have noticed my silence, for he began to speak again. "Listen, Lily. I really like hanging out with you, and I'm sorry I've been neglecting you for a while." What was he trying to say? That he didn't have time for me anymore now that he had Rose?
"...So I'm going to make a really big effort to be with you again." Scorpius seemed satisfied with this, but I wasn't. I remained silent, staring at him. "I mean, you're my best friend, but Rose is more than a friend..."
Did he have to rub it in? I already understand you like her. My irritation grew as Rose herself came prancing down the hall.
"Scorp!" she cried, running up to him.
"Thanks for the offer, Scorpius, but I'm sure you have your hands full already." My voice was hollow as I cut across my cousin's sugary flirt. I didn't want to guilt him into hanging out with me.
Scorpius looked slightly hurt. "Lily, I do like hanging out with you..." he began, but his voice was cut off by a pouting look from Rose.
"You're ignoring me!" Rose accused him, crossing her arms over her chest.
Scorpius grinned as he saw Rose's reaction. "No I'm not!" he exclaimed. "How could I?"
I had seen enough. "Well I'll see you later, Scorpius." With that, I bolted, leaving Scorpius alone with her.
