Chapter 9
Ella's birthday passed, and right afterwards, rather surprisingly, Ella and James broke up. "I got tired of him being so predictable all the time," she said. I felt awful for James; he had been so happy and now he was really upset.
"Right before Valentine's Day," I said as I mourned their relationship.
Indeed, it was only a week before Valentine's Day and the trip to Hogsmede. When the day came, I linked arms with Ella on one side and Al on the other, and we strolled into town singing songs from that Muggle movie, The Wizard of Oz. Although I felt bad for James, I was glad to have Ella back. Rose was with Jacob, but I didn't mind, seeing as it was a day for boyfriends and girlfriends. The only things that put a damper on the day were (a) that I still didn't have a boyfriend and (b) it had snowed again. I was in no mood for the cold, so we went to the Three Broomsticks for a chat and Butterbeer.
We left the warmth to wander the streets, looking at storefronts. Ella pulled out her journal and wrote as we walked. She fell behind, and Al and I walked side by side. I felt a little awkward; I didn't want people thinking we were dating when we weren't. Al didn't seem uncomfortable at all, though.
After awhile, I looked behind us. "Where did Ella go?" I wondered aloud.
"Maybe she wandered back to the Three Broomsticks. Who knows? She was scribbling in her little book. Maybe she took a wrong turn without looking up."
"Hmm. Well, let's go back, I'm cold," I said, my eyes searching for my friend.
On the way back, we passed a little restaurant. Through the window, we saw Rose and Jacob snogging. I blushed, embarrassed to witness such a private moment, even though they were in public. I rushed past. "Hurry up, Al," I called over my shoulder.
"Mae?"
"Yeah?"
"I have something I want to tell you," Al said, stopping.
"Could you tell me inside? The Three Broomsticks is right there," I said, shivering.
"No, I need to tell you now."
I sighed. "Ok, what is it?"
"You remember that thing I was writing a little while ago?"
"Yes. What about it?"
"It's done. I want you to read it."
"Now?"
"Yes," he said, exasperated. "Here."
He handed me the much-folded parchment. I opened and read a lovely little poem. "Wow, Al, this is really good," I said. "Can we please go inside now?"
"I wrote it for you," he said, somewhat shyly. I thought that seemed odd.
"Thanks," I said, looking down at the parchment fluttering in the icy wind.
"So…?"
"'So' what?" I asked, teeth chattering. He was acting really strange and I didn't know why.
"Don't you get it?"
"Get what?"
Al closed his eyes, lifted his face to the sky, and balled his fists. I knew these were some of the things he did when he was frustrated and trying to calm down.
"What are you talking about? Tell me," I said, still confused at his behaviour.
"Mae," Al said, "I'm trying to tell you that I-"
He was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Ella. She was incredibly flushed, and I could tell it wasn't because of the wind and cold.
"Where have you been?" I asked, glad of the break in the tension between us.
"I can't really tell you. You have to read what I wrote," she replied after a pause.
We hurried back into the warm, got more Butterbeer, and Ella handed me her journal. This is what I read:
2.12, Hogsmeade
So, here in Hogsmeade... What's up with this area's fascination with Hogs? I find them quite repulsive actually…
Some Seconds Later
Al and Mae look to be having fun. Have I ever told you how much I don't care for shopping? Especially on Valentine's Day. Easily the worst day of the year.
2.14
Not that I have anything against anyone who actually likes Valentine's. But, honestly, if you aren't currently attached, it's the loneliest holiday ever.
2.15
Poor James. I feel a wee bit bad for, you know, breaking up with him. We looked good together and all but he was getting so… predictable. And predictability is not a desirable quality in a man. Well, erm, young man.
2.16
A man would have to be someone like Orion…
2.17
Is it bad that I still sometimes compare him to Orion? I've heard he's been asking after me ever since I started dating James.
2.18
Not that it matters to me, you know.
2.26
… Where are Mae and Al?
2.28
Not over there…
A Few Seconds Later
Not over here either! Where are they? … They were right in front of me, I'll have you know. It's not my fault they went and got themselves lost!
2.35
Erm, well… Now I'm by the Shrieking Shack. I'm not sure what brought me here, considering this is where most couples go to have Super Snogfests.
Some Seconds Later
Of which I do not partake… Seeing as I don't have a boyfriend.
2.43
AHHH!
2.44
Oh, it's just Orion. What does he want, I wonder?
2.57
Run away, run away, run away!
2.58
Must find Mae and Al! This is a desperate situation…
2.59
I just had a Super Snogfest with Orion Castingson!
3.00
There they are. Must talk to Mae. Cheers.
"Al, you have to read thi- where'd he go?" I asked, seeing that he was gone.
"He said he was going outside for a second," Ella answered. "But who cares about him? I just snogged ORION!"
"What was it like?"
"Wet and slimy." She paused. "What has he been asking about, anyway?"
"About you? Um… stuff…"
"Mae!"
"Sorry! I don't know, just stuff, like what your favourite things are."
"What'd you say?"
"I told him to ask you."
"Well, he skipped ahead a bit."
"A bit?" I raised my eyebrows.
"It's not my fault," Ella wailed. "I ran away! How stupid was that?"
"Pretty stupid. But I would've run away too."
"But that's what I wanted this whole time! Now I have angst," Ella said, burying her head in her arms.
Al returned then and I handed him Ella's journal. He read with eyebrows raised. Ella lifted her head off the table. "Well?"
"Why did I need to know this?" Al asked, looking disgusted.
"Al," I scolded. "Our friend is in pain. We should comfort her in her time of need." I patted her on the arm.
Ella and Rose had long gone off to bed. I was too comfortable sitting by the fire and reading my book to get up. Soon, I realized I was the only one still downstairs. That was pretty uncommon. I looked up to see that it was almost midnight. I decided to finish the chapter I was reading and then go to bed.
"Mae? Are you still up?" It was Al.
"Yeah, I'm almost done- what are you doing up?"
"I… I couldn't really sleep," he said.
"Oh," I said, hoping he wouldn't start acting strangely again.
"Don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."
Curious, I finished the chapter and waited. Al came running down the stairs, holding something. "I got this for you," he said.
I opened the box and saw a little red heart-shaped pendant on a gold chain. "Al, you shouldn't have!"
"Well, I planned on getting everyone something, but I didn't bring enough money," he said, looking pleased.
"Why? Was it really expensive or something?"
"No, I just didn't bring enough. That's all."
"Oh. Well, help me put it on," I said, lifting it out and holding my hair out of the way.
As he put it on me, he said, "It has Gryffindor colours, and I just thought you'd like it. Hang on, the clasp thing won't- ok, got it."
"I do like it. Thank you." I gave him a quick hug.
"You're welcome," he said softly.
I felt that tension again. Picking up my book, I said, "Well, I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow."
Shout out to my friend, SailingAwaySoftly, who wrote the diary section. Go check out her stories! And I would love it if you reviewed my story! All Harry Potter characters belong to JK Rowling. All other characters (Ella, Mae, etc.) are mine.
