You have my permission to stop reading this. I'm so sorry for the mega long waiting time. To be honest I did have inspiration, and when I did, I didn't have time. But, if you will stop reading this story, I beg of you to read this chapter. And I swear I'll update following my 10 days or less policy, since I start break this thursday.
Hope you like it.
CHAPTER SIX
The weeks went by quickly for the kids, who were not only enchanted by the wondrous magic they could do now, but also mesmerized by everything… especially the muggleborns. Defence Against the Dark Arts had become Nina's favourite; especially after discovering the professor was a metamorphmagus. The first time he tricked them, he had come to class with a complete different appearance and watched how they behaved with a stranger in class. He was surprised to see the kids not revolting against the 'substitute', though many talked in whispers and changed places.
He had done this two times before revealing himself; the second becoming a scary man. That time, everyone had stayed quietly in their seats and worked diligently.
Hayden interrupting her train of thought, pulling Nina back to the reality of Halloween. They were just hours away from the so famous Halloween Feast, at lunch, and they had the whole afternoon to themselves. It was a Tuesday, but Headmistress McGonagall had decided to cut the day until lunch so everything could be in order for the feast. According to her, there were special surprises that night that required every professor's help throughout the afternoon.
Additionally, the students had not been assigned a single homework for the day after.
Nina put her cup down, and observed Albus as he gulped down the food in front of him in a matter of seconds.
"You're like… a machine of sorts, Al." She commented.
"Yeah. Mum said I got it from my uncle Ron. He's a machine."
Both girls laughed as Peter joined them at the table.
"Hey guys." He said before looking down at the table and realized he had missed actual food.
"Hi, Pete. I saved you something." Nina answered, passing him a plate.
"You are the best, Nin."
"And proud."
The four of them talked about what they thought the special surprises would be as the boys finished eating, and then they stood up and walked to the lake, where they settled under a tree.
"It's starting to get a bit more windy, don't you think?" Hayden asked.
"Definitely. I'd say a week or two before we need to start wearing gloves outside." Albus answered.
"Four more before it starts snowing…" Nina contributed dreamily. "Don't you just love the snow?"
"I don't know them, but I know you do." Peter muttered.
"It's just… Well, the cold provides an escape don't you think? It's so soothing." She defended herself.
"An escape from what?"
"That's what I don't know, but I feel safe when I'm surrounded by it, like when I'm swimming."
"Is that normal?" Albus whispered to Hayden with a smile.
Nina, the closest to the water, threw some in Albus's direction with her hand. "Just because I'm across you does not mean I can't hear you, Al."
The boy in question laughed.
"Hey guys, I've got to meet up with Monica. See you tonight, yeah?" Hayden told them standing up.
"Sure." The other three replied in unison.
"Oh Hayd? Say hello to Monica for me, please." Albus called after her at the last minute.
Hayden turned to face them and raised her right hand showing them an 'okay' sign quickly, before continuing to walk normally.
"So, Albus, Monica huh?" Nina said with a raised eyebrow.
"Shut up." Her friend replied, only a little jokingly.
"Come on, bud." Peter pushed him, just for the sake of having a little fun.
"Okay, okay. I might think she's pretty and nice. That's all." Albus said with a tone of finality.
"If you say so." Nina answered, winking at Peter. "I don't know you guys, but I'm going up to the common room to read a bit. See you later."
"I'll come with you, Nina." James said, coming from nowhere and putting his arm around the girl.
"Seriously, James, that doesn't even scare me anymore."
James ignored her comment. "Care to go with me to Hogsmead this Saturday?"
"I'm not allowed to, James, I'm a first year." The girl said with a tone of obviousness.
"Who says that can stop you, princess?" Another arm wrapped around her as Fred came in from her right. "We know hundreds of secret tunnels."
Nina chuckled, "It's gonna take more than that to make me break the rules, and, more importantly, make me date James."
"See, Fredo? She fancies me." The boy said to his mate.
"Nope, don't think so, mate." Was the answer he received.
"Boys, you're funny and all, but I really want to finish my book by the feast tonight, so if you could please let me go? Or at least walk normally?"
"Sure princess." Both boys replied, taking their arms off.
"God, I could swear you were twins if you weren't not identical."
"That's the point, princess." James winked.
"Can you stop calling me that?" She whined.
A wicked look came into both the boys' eyes. "Sure, princess." They said in unison.
Hours later, the trio was walking down the stairs to diner, expectation about the feast rising with every step. The castle was bursting with activity, the staircases were packed as everyone made there way down to the Great Hall. And then, all Peter and Albus heard was laughter cut off, followed by a high-pitched scream.
She had been walking contently, looking everywhere but down, and then she felt air going past her. She was falling down. Seven floors.
"Nina!" Both the boys screamed. Followed by Albus's shout of "Peter, no!" For the boy would've thrown himself off the stairwell after Nina had his friend not stopped him.
Two stories down, a loud thud was heard as a group of bones came into quick contact with the side of a moving stairwell. Everyone turned their heads as the sound bounced off the wall, and screams and shouts were heard through that area of the castle.
That was around when everything went black for the girl falling down.
Two more floors, and for Peter, who was running downstairs as fast as he could, it seemed like the end of his friend. It was a heart breaking sight, a boy so young seen in complete pain and worry, his face tearful. But at the next moment he breathed a little.
Just one floor before her sure ending, Nina was caught mid-fall. The only thing no one cared to notice was her rescuer.
"Pete, calm down. She'll be fine." Albus stated matter-of-factly while he leaned against the door trying to catch what Madam Pomfrey was trying to say to the Headmistress and Nina's parents.
"Yeah, sure, Al. It's not the girl who you have lived with your entire life who's in there nearing death!"
Albus turned and sat next to his friend.
"Nina and I, there's no one like her for me. She is like my sister, and more than that at the same time. I can't loose her, Al. I just can't."
Peter threw his head back to the wall, and, with closed eyes, silent tears started streaming down his face.
