Chapter 5:
Skies are crying, I am watching
Catching tear drops in my hands
Only silence, as it's ending
Like we never had a chance
Do you have to make me feel like
There's nothing left of me?
-Demi Lovato
A month later everyone was back into their routine. Nora was constantly studying, while trying to find some time to spend with Cedric which ended up mostly being during their prefect patrols. Fred and George were planning future pranks and executing quite a few as well even though Nora and Aveline had managed to make them study a little. Quidditch practice was brutal being scheduled four mornings, two nights, and twice on the week-ends. No matter how bad the temperature was or how tired they were, Wood woke them up a five am and made them end their days at eight pm.
It was 8:45 pm on Thursday October the 16th as the Gryffindor quidditch team made their way back to the common room after practicing for two hours.
Nora yawned as she made her way through the portrait hole.
"I've got to go get my stupid homework!" Nora groaned.
"Same here!" Said Fred and George.
They brought their books, parchment, quills and ink and got to work.
"What are you working on?" Fred asked as he leaned back on his chair and stretched.
"Arithmancy, care for magical creatures and ancient runes." She said as she ran her fingers through her hair and groaned. "I hate this stupid OWL year!" She added as she rested her head against the table. "What are you two up to?"
"DADA and muggle studies! That's all I have tomorrow."Fred said grinning.
"DADA, muggle studies and care for magical creature. I'm going to be up all night." George said.
"You two leave everything to the last minute! I can't believe you haven't done DADA yet!"
"Sorry we can't all be perfect little know-it-alls." Fred said ruffling Nora's hair.
"Shut it Weasley." She said as she hit his arm.
"You're mean when you don't sleep!" George laughed.
"I know!" She groaned. "And it's Cedric's birthday tomorrow. And we have bloody Quidditch at five in the morning."
"Lucky Diggory, he'll get to spend time with a sleep deprived Freckles!" Fred said nudging her.
"I hate this bloody year!" She said as she rested her head on her hands.
"Not to say I told you so but I did...You shouldn't have taken eleven classes and prefect duties and Quidditch!" He said grinning.
"I hate it when you're right."
After what seemed like days of work, Nora looked at her watch which indicated a little after 1 am. Fred had fallen asleep an hour earlier and George had fallen asleep twenty minutes ago. They were both sitting on their chairs with their heads on a pile of books. She rested her head on her arms and closed her eyes for a second as she fell asleep.
She was woken up by someone shaking her shoulder after what seemed like five minutes of sleep.
"Nora! It's five...Wake up..."
"Go away!" She groaned as she buried her head in her arms.
"Nora! Get up!"
"I'm up! I'm up!" She said as she sat up rubbing her eyes. "Is it five already?" She added as she stretched.
"Yes. You three fell asleep in the common room. How late were you up?"
"Fred fell asleep around midnight, George a while after and I fell asleep a little after one."
"Well sorry but we've still gotta practice."
"I know Oliver! We practice until we drop!"
"That's what I like to hear!" He said as he patted her on the back. "Go get changed and wake up Alicia please?"
"Fine..." She said as she gathered her books and went up the stairs towards the girls' dormitory.
Ten minutes later, Nora and Alicia made their way down the stairs wearing hoodies and leggings.
"Ready?" Wood asked.
"Whatever Wood." Alicia said as she yawned.
"Why the hell do we have to practice so early?" Nora said between yawns.
"Because Wood wants us to die." Erik answered coldly.
"Exactly." Said Fred.
They got to the Quidditch pitch, mounted their brooms and started practice. Wood was guarding the hoops while Nora, Erik and Alicia were trying to get the quaffle past him. Fred and George were throwing bludgers around at them like mad men and Harry was going after the snitch as he avoided bludgers. After an hour and thirty minutes of this, Wood made them run laps around the Quidditch field. They finished their laps and finally headed towards the showers.
"I'm sore all over!" Nora said as she dried her hair with a towel.
"I know!" Alicia groaned from the showers. "How the hell are we supposed to survive a whole year of this torture?"
"I have no idea...I need coffee! And liquorice!"
"You're crazy obsessed with liquorice." Alicia said laughing.
"And proud of it!" She said grinning.
"Wow! Fancy underwear! Are that for Diggory?" She asked raising an eyebrow as she walked out of the shower wearing a towel.
"Maybe... It is his birthday after all." Nora smirked.
"Well he's in for a good one then!"
"Yes he is." Nora grinned as she buttoned her shirt.
"Well we better get a move on if we want to get some breakfast."
"Then get dressed!" Nora said laughing as she did a drying spell on her hair.
They made their way towards the great hall to get something to eat seeing as they were all starving.
"I need food!" Said Fred.
"You always need food." Nora said laughing.
"And you never need food."
"Anyways... I'll see you guys in DADA!"
"Wait you're not eating?" George asked.
"Yes I am. But I'm eating with my boyfriend this morning." She said smiling.
"That's it...Ditch us for the enemy!" Fred teased.
"Shut it Freddykins." She said shoving him as she made her way towards the Hufflepuff table.
"Happy birthday Ced." Nora said as she kissed his cheek and sat down next to him.
"Thanks Pretty Girl!" He said smiling.
"You're welcome." She said smiling. "Ooh! Coffee!"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Asked Bridget teasingly.
"Trust me I need it! I fell asleep after one in the common room doing homework and Wood woke me up at five for bloody Quidditch! So it wasn't exactly the best morning!" She said laughing.
"In that case I'd take more than a cup if I were you!" Bridget said laughing.
"Trust me I will!" Nora answered as she took a bite of toast.
"Try not to overdose on caffeine...It's quite a scary sight." Cedric added teasingly.
"It's not that bad!" Nora said defensively.
"Now I'm curious!" Patrick, a good friend of Cedric's added.
"Well let's just say that she gets quite hyperactive, paranoid and her hands shake." Cedric said laughing.
"You do know the only reason you're getting away with this is because it's your birthday right?" She said as she tried to suppress a smile.
"I know." He answered kissing her cheek. "Doesn't mean I won't take advantage of this day."
"You can take all the advantage you want later." She whispered in his ear.
"I really love my birthday." He said grinning.
Suddenly a small barn owl landed in front of Nora.
"Hey Caspian! What have you got there?" She asked her owl who hooted affectionately, handed her the letter and flew away.
"Who's it from?" Cedric asked.
"M..my father..." Nora answered bewildered.
Dear Norabel,
It has been brought to my attention that you are still associating with wizards of inferior birth. I cannot express how disappointed I am. You truly are a disgrace to the DeBordeaux name. Our family has been known for being one of the purest and most powerful wizarding families in Europe and I will not have you taint our reputation by behaving like a foolish and irresponsible teenager. You have brought much trouble to me through the years, with befriending bloodtraitors and mudbloods, by being the first DeBordeaux ever sorted in Gryffindor and by publically showing disrespected for the values our family holds dear.
I now present you with two options. If you value your family and everything we stand for, turn your life around and finally behave as an heiress to the DeBordeaux line should behave. If you do so, I will forgive you for all the mistakes you've made as a young woman. If you chose not to oblige, I no longer consider you my daughter. You will officially be disowned from the DeBordeaux line. A true DeBordeaux would never act the way you've acted for the past fifteen years which has been truly disgraceful and very disappointing. I cannot believe that my first born has turned out to be nothing more than a weak and ordinary witch.
I do hope you chose the first option. If not, do not bother coming to the mansion during the holidays since you are no longer welcomed or wanted.
I hope I have made myself clear,
Your father,
Head of the International Magical Office of Law,
Cecilius DeBordeaux.
Nora gulped as tears started to form in her eyes.
"Hey are you alright?" Cedric asked.
"I..I'm fine." She said as she choked back tears. Nora and her father had never seen eye-to-eye but to read those words had truly hurt. "We should get going." She added folding the letter and putting it in her bag.
They made their way towards Professor Lupin's classroom as Cedric tried to find out what was wrong with Nora.
"Nora. I know you. When you go quiet like this it means that something is wrong. Talk to me."
"It's fine... I'm fine." She said.
"We both know that's a lie."
"Just drop it Ced!" She said harshly as they waited outside the classroom.
"You're hurt. I get it. But if you don't talk about it there's nothing I can do!"
"I'm fine!"
"You're not fine! Just tell me what's wrong! And maybe I can help!" He said louder.
Nora groaned, lifted her hands and froze him. She usually didn't use her powers on her friends but she truly did not want to have this conversation.
As she walked into the classroom Fred caught her arm.
"Hey! What was that about?" He asked concerned.
"Nothing." She answered.
"Come on Nora! You froze the guy. And you two never fight."
"Mind your own business." She said coldly as she made her way to her desk.
A few moments later Cedric made his way towards her and sat down next to her.
"You froze me..."
"I know...And I'm sorry." She said sincerely.
"Look, I know it's hard for you to ask for help...And you don't like to talk about your problems but I only want to be there for you the way you're there for me."
"It's fine. And I do get it. You're just being nice. And I really do apologise, I should not use my powers to get out of a conversation. I'm just a little bit of a mess right now. I swear it should blow over soon enough." She said smiling lightly.
"Ok then." He said smiling. "I love you Nora. You know that right?"
"Same here." She answered as she took out her books and Lupin started talking.
"Today, we will be facing a boggart. I am well aware that you have already studied them but reading about one and facing one are two very different things. Now, does anyone remember the spell used to repel a boggart?" Lupin asked smiling.
Nora's hand shot up.
"Yes Norabel?"
"The counter spell is Riddikulus but what will truly finish off a boggart is laughter. Which means that as one performs the spell they must imagine their fear in a comedic way. The boggart will then take that form." She answered proudly.
"I could not have said it better myself. Five points for Gryffindor. Now everyone form a line and when you've faced the boggart go sit on the right side of the classroom so you may see your classmates without being in the way." He said as he pointed his wand towards the cupboard in the middle of the classroom.
The first person to go up against the boggart was Lucy. The boggart quickly shifted into a large green snake.
Lucy gulped and said : "Riddikulus!" The giant green snake suddenly turned pink with orange stripes and entirely tangled into a large knot. After Lucy came Aveline. The boggart transformed into a dementor. A moment later, the dementor tripped over his cloak and everyone laughed. A few hufflepuffs went up against the boggart before Nataleigh stepped forward. The boggart then shifted into an impressive an intimidating man, her father; Nora suddenly froze not knowing what to think of this. Cedric placed his hand on her shoulder trying to provide comfort to his girlfriend.
"Norabel is dead. I've killed her." Their father said.
Nataleigh's eyes were full of tears and Nora was stunned.
"Ri...ri..riddikulus." Nataleigh said choking back tears but nothing happened.
Alicia quickly stepped in front of Nataleigh and the boggart shifted into a dragon. Nora went to help her sister up and lead the way to the right side of the classroom where they wouldn't be the center of attention. Nataleigh fell to her knees and began to sob uncontrollably. Nora kneeled down infront of her twin and took her hands in her own.
"Nataleigh. Nat! Look at me. I'm right here. Breathe. I'm right here. It was only a boggart."
Nataleigh kept breathing rapidly through heavy sobs but looked up at her twin.
"I...I...thought..." She tried to say.
"It's alright. I know. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere and I will never let him get to you, I promise Nat." She said hugging her sister.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." She said between sobs.
"You won't have to find out. I promise." Nora said.
A few minutes later the girls went to sit near the group of students who had already gone up against the boggart. Angelina was facing it and Fred was next.
"Is she ok?" Fred mouthed.
Nora simply nodded.
"Are you?"
She rolled her eyes and nodded once more trying to suppress a smile. As Angelina made her way towards the group of people who were done and Fred took a step forward. The boggart shifted and two bodies were lying on the ground, dead. A blond girl and a redheaded guy. Most of the class gasped at the sight of Nora and George's bodies. Fred inhaled and firmly said:
"Riddikulus!"
Suddenly, both bodies started to tap-dance awkwardly. Fred took a deep breath as he made his way towards the group of students who were done. Nora quickly got up from her chair and hugged him tightly. From the corner of her eye, she could see Cedric looking away and seeming quite irritated. A few more people went by before Cedric. The boggart shifted into Fred and Nora, they were holding hands as the fake Nora said:
"I love him. It's always been Fred. How could you not see it?"
"Riddikulus!"
"Well that is more than enough for today! Class dismissed!" Said Professor Lupin.
"Oh! And Miss' DeBordeaux would you both come over for tea during the week-end? If you don't mind of course." Both girls nodded.
"Sure...Of course." Nora said as she watched Cedric rush out of the classroom.
"Well I guess you weren't kidding when you said Diggory was jealous." Fred said rubbing the back of his neck and laughing nervously.
"That's not funny! Home wrecker..." She said teasingly as she hit his shoulder playfully. "But seriously I should go talk to him. I'll see you guys later." She said as she waved at them.
"How happy did that make you?" Nataleigh said nudging Fred.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Fred said as he kept rubbing the back of his neck and turned a light shade of pink.
"Aww! Come on Fred! The fact that you fancy my sister isn't exactly news to me. Or to most other people for that matter." She said laughing.
"Told you so!" George said.
"I do not fancy Nora! She's my best friend that's it!" He said as his face turned as red as his hair.
"Don't worry Fred, you're secret is safe with me." Nataleigh said pinching his cheek teasingly.
"Oh shove off. The both of you!" He said as George and Nataleigh burst out laughing.
Nora made her way towards her arithmancy classroom to talk to Cedric. No one was anywhere near the corridor so she went towards the Hufflepuff common room and sank down the wall waiting for Cedric to come out. After fifteen minutes, Bridget came out of the common room.
"Hey Nora!" She said smiling.
"Hey Bridget. Do you know if Ced ever plans on coming out of hiding?" Nora answered.
"He's afraid you're mad at him. He's really pissed off at himself. He's been pacing around the common room muttering to himself for the past twenty-five minutes."
"He enjoys his pacing." Nora said chuckling a little.
"I'll tell him you're here."
"Thanks Bridget." Nora answered as the young Hufflepuff said the password to the portrait.
"DIGGORY! Your girlfriend is sitting on the floor waiting for you!" She yelled through the portrait hole.
"Subtle Bridget." Nora said laughing.
"Subtle is my middle name." She said teasingly. " See you later!"
"Yeah."
"Hey Nora." Cedric said looking at his feet. "What are you doing on the floor?"
"Waiting for you. What was that about?" She asked as she got up.
"What do you mean?"
"You bloody well know what I mean Ced! Your bloody boggart!"
"Oh...That..."
"Do you really think so little of me? That I'd cheat on you? And with Fred of all people?" She asked her voice rising.
"I know. And I'm sorry. It's just that he's your best mate, and I'm your boyfriend. And sometimes I wonder if there is any difference between your feelings for him and for me."
"Of course there is!" She said as she went towards him and put her arms around his neck. "First of all, as you said, YOU are my boyfriend NOT Fred. Second, I spend half of nights in your dorm and not Fred's. And finally, have you ever seen me kiss Fred this way?" She questioned as she pressed her lips firmly to his. They broke away after a moment.
"So?" Nora asked with a grin.
"No. I get it. I guess I get a bit jealous. Sorry."
"Don't worry. I think it's adorable." She said kissing his cheek.
"We should get going. Wouldn't want to be late for arithmancy. We are prefects." Cedric said as he put his arm around her waist and headed towards their class.
"So you keep reminding me birthday boy!" She answered teasingly.
"How's Nataleigh?" Cedric asked as they entered the classroom.
"She's going to be alright." Nora said as her smile faded.
"Does it have anything to do with the letter you got this morning?"
"I'm not talking about this." Nora said coldly as they sat down.
"What's with the cold shoulder?"
"Nothing Ced! It is NONE of your business." She added as she took out her books and Professor Vector started the lesson.
After a long period of Cedric staring at her with a concerned look, Nora gathered her books and exited the classroom.
"I'll see you at lunch! And enjoy potions!" Nora said kissing his cheek as she waved and walked away.
Nora entered the Gryffindor common room and went towards her dorm to put down her bags. As she opened the door she bumped into her twin Nataleigh.
"Hey...I need to talk to you. Is anyone else up here?"
"No. It's just me." Nataleigh answered looking concerned.
"Ok...well sit down...Father sent me a letter this morning."
"Well that isn't unusual; you are his little princess after all." Nataleigh said.
"Trust me, I'm not!"
"Come on! We all know you're his favourite! You're his first born, his pride and joy and pretty darn perfect. That's why he lets you get away with all your choices!"
"Nat! I'm trying to be serious here!"
"Fine. What is it?" She asked looking worried.
"He's disowning me."
"He's what?"
"If I don't change, he says that he no longer considers me his daughter. I'm also the biggest disappointment in his life and nothing but a weak and ordinary witch who has tainted our family's reputation. I'm also fraternizing with wizards of inferior birth and going against the family values. Niko must have told him... And I'm the first Gryffindor and so on... " She said quoting her father.
"I was sorted in Gryffindor about two minutes after you!" She said.
"I know...I'm the biggest disgrace...It's fine."
"He's bloody mental! And really don't listen to him! Nora you're perfect! You respect rules, well 90% of the time. You get amazing grades, and you do everything you can to help others." Nataleigh said smiling.
"You make me sound like a saint." Nora said smiling back at her sister.
"You're pretty damn close!"
"Thanks Nat."
"But really. Don't listen to him! I know that you're going to say you're fine because you don't ask for help and you always need to be in control and you're afraid to seem weak but you're not weak! And I'm here for you...Forget about our idiotic father..."
"Yeah...I guess."
"Well you guessed right! So come on we've got to go study!"
"Wow Nataleigh Carolina DeBordeaux reminding me to study? What happened to you?" Nora asked teasingly as they made their way towards the great hall to study.
"It's OWL year...And I might want to pass all of my subjects."
"I'm proud of you Slob!" She said as they entered the great hall.
"Why thanks Satan!" Nataleigh said shoving Nora who tripped and fell next to Fred.
"Damn it! Why do you have to be violent?" Nora said.
"Because I love you so much!" Nataleigh said laughing. "And it isn't my fault you're such a klutz!"
"Am not!" She said from the floor.
"That you are Freckles." Fred said laughing as he helped her up.
"Why must you all laugh at me?" Nora asked pouting.
"Because that's what friends do!" Fred said ruffling her hair as everyone burst out laughing.
"This time is for studying not social time. I do hope my own house will respect that." Professor McGonagall said to the fifth years.
"Yes Professor!" The Gryffindors said as the Ravenclaws laughed.
After an hour of studying they went up to the common room to drop off their things and then headed towards the great hall for lunch.
"Your evil brother is looking for you." Erik said as Nora sat down next to him.
"Niko can go screw himself." Nora said coldly.
"Don't hurt the messenger!"
"Niko's an ass...That's all." Nora said. "Sorry if I was rude Erik."
"It's fine Satan." He said laughing.
"Thanks Porny." She added as she took a sip of pumpkin juice.
"I really hopped that nickname wouldn't stick..." Erik said.
"I like it so live with it! I can always call you Manwhore!" She said smiling.
"It is quite fitting." Fred said.
"No it isn't!"
"Ha! Right! We've been here a month and how many girls have you slept with?" Nora asked.
"Well...Maybe a few..." Erik said trying to recall.
"And that would be the understatement of the year!" Nora said laughing.
"I'm not that bad!"
"You don't even remember half of their names!" Nora said laughing.
"Well there was Jane...and Portia...and the tall redhead girl...and I can't really remember the other's names...Oh! There was that Helen girl!"
"Elena...And this is why you are now Porny to me!" Nora said.
"We don't all want the perfect commited relationship...Boys like having options." Erik said looking at Fred for approval.
"Don't bring me into this!" Fred said as he raised his hands up defensively.
"Sorry to disappoint you Erik but Fred actually likes a girl." Nora said.
"Nora!" Fred said as he choked on his food.
"Oh come on there's no shame!" Nora said laughing.
"Don't worry we know..." George said.
"Was I the last one to find out about this?" Nora asked.
"Oh please can we change the subject!" Fred said hiding his face in his hands as he blushed a violent shade of red.
"But this is just getting fun!" Nataleigh said smiling.
"Oh do you really want to go there?" Fred asked glaring at her.
"True Nat you're not one to talk with your secret crush." Nora added.
"Both of you shut it!" Nataleigh said glaring at them.
"Female Porny has a crush?" Erik asked. "Now this is getting interesting!"
"Very." George said laughing.
"I will not answer to Female Porny!" Nataleigh said.
"But I like it so much!" Erik said laughing.
"There's another reason for me to hate it!" Nataleigh added.
"How I love foreplay." Erik said winking at her.
"Get your mind out of the gutter Porny!" Nataleigh said. "And wasn't this about Fred's crush?"
"True! Why am I the last to know this?" Nora asked frowning.
"Because you're blind." George whispered to Fred as he rubbed his neck.
"What was that?" Nora asked taking a bite of cake.
"Oh nothing...But yeah I've known for a while." George said trying to supress a laugh.
"Well of course you're his twin!" Nora said.
"Oh I've known too!" Nataleigh added.
"Seriously! You tell her and not me?" Nora said turning to Fred.
"I haven't told her anything! Nor George for that matter they just...have their theory..." Fred said blushing and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Fine I'll forgive you... If I can steal some of your chocolate cake...This vanilla cake is terrible."
"Fine." Fred said as he took a piece of cake and smudged it all over her face.
"You did not just do that!" Nora said laughing, taking a piece of her own cake and smudging it all over Fred's face.
"You're right this isn't so good." He said laughing as they both tried to get most of the cake off their faces.
"Children!" Erik said laughing.
"As much as I'm loving this, I've gotta go meet my boyfriend. See you all later!" She said blowing them a kiss as she went towards the Huflepuff table.
"Hey Cedric!" Nora said sitting down next to him.
"Hi" He said coldly.
"Is something wrong?" Nora asked
"Nothing." He said as he got up. "I've got to do something...I'll see you in ancient runes."
"Ok then..." She said as he walked away without looking at her.
"What's wrong with him?" Nora asked to no one in particular.
"Well you flirting with Weasley isn't exactly the best birthday present." Keagan said sarcastically.
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" She asked bewildered.
"You really have to ask? I guess you don't even notice you flirt with pretty much everything that moves."
"Just shut it Lawson...And mind your own bloody business!" Nora said icily as she glared at him.
"You've got stuff...in your hair Bordeaux!"
"It's De Bordeaux!" She corrected as she headed back to the Gryffindor table and tried to get the cake out of her hair.
"Stupid bloody Hufflepuff..." Nora said as she sat down.
"Which one?" George asked.
"Lawson." Nora said shaking her head disapprovingly.
"What did he do?"
"Basically called me a whore." Nora said.
"You? The girl who's been dating the same guy for the past four years? " Nataleigh said.
"He says I flirt with everything that moves."
"Trust me...I flirt with everything that moves...You're just a friendly person." Erik stated.
"Thanks Erik." She said laughing a little.
"You're welcome. I'm glad my manwhore status can be of use to make you feel better."
"Well it has to be good for something right?" Nora said laughing. "So what do you lot have this afternoon?"
"Not a thing!" Fred said winking at her.
"Same here." Nataleigh and Lucy answered.
"Free period then ancient runes." Aveline said.
"Double Charms." Erik and Wood answered.
"You know I have Care of Magical Creatures with you...And then I'm free." George said.
"Yep! And we better get going!" Nora said. "By the way, I kind of hate the lot of you right now." she added jokingly.
"Well not all of us have the psychotic need to take eleven classes." Fred said grinning.
"Oh shut it!" She said hitting him across the head playfully as she and George left.
"So how's our dear Dumby?" George asked about the baby hippogriff they were taking care of.
"She great!" Nora said petting her. "Aren't you Dumby?"
The hippogriff affectionately nibbled her fingers.
"So how are you?" George asked.
"I'm good. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well you're sister's boggart was about you being dead, your best friend's was you, actually dead, and your boyfriend's was of you cheating on him with Fred... I'd be going mad if I were you!"
"Yeah well one of the positive sides to being a control freak is that I don't go mad." Nora said smiling.
"Maybe...But you do know that's it's normal to not always be alright?"
"Yeah...but I am...Really!" She insisted.
"Ok then. But I'm here if you need anything...or if you want to humiliate Fred in anyway." George said jokingly.
"Now that is an interesting proposition!" She said laughing.
"It's always a fun activity."
"About his crush...Who is it?" Nora asked as she fed their hippogriff.
"I'm not saying anything!" George said handing her another dead furret. "You really don't know?" He added smiling.
She frowned for a moment. "Angelina?" She asked.
"Johnson? Merlin no!" George laughed. "Well I don't think so...And I'm pretty sure of myself. Why Angelina?"
"I don't know...She likes him, it's quite evident."
"Well...She likes him...not the other way."
"Oh..." She said with a faint smile.
"You don't like her?" George asked grinning.
"I don't dislike her...Why are you grinning?" Nora asked.
"Oh nothing Freckles." George said laughing.
"Right..."She said looking at him suspiciously.
Ancient runes went by quickly as Cedric kept ignoring Nora and avoiding her glance. As classes ended for the day and they made their way to supper Nora pulled Cedric around a corner.
"Ced what's wrong? I thought we were fine." She asked looking concerned.
"We're always fine." He said though it did not sound as it was a good thing. "Let's just get something to eat."
"Sure." Nora said as she took his hand. "And I have a surprise after supper. It is your birthday after all." She added smiling at him.
"You don't need to do anything." He said.
"I know that. But I want to. It's not every day my boyfriend turns sixteen. And I'm trying to do something nice here." She said as theirs gray eyes met.
"Alright." He said as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side.
"Good!" She said kissing his cheek. "Now let's get food! I'm starving!"
"You? Starving? That actually happens?" He said teasingly.
"I eat...Just not as much as you teenage boys do!" Nora answered as they entered the great hall and sat at the Hufflepuff table.
Supper went by rather normally. They had a cake to celebrate Cedric's birthday and most of the Hufflepuff table sang him Happy Birthday. Everyone started to head out of the great hall and proceeded to their Friday night plans.
"Let's get out of here." Nora whispered in Cedric's ear.
"Sure." He said smiling at her as he said goodbye to his friends and lead her out the great hall.
As they were leaving Nora caught Alicia winking at her.
She simply grinned back to her friend and went out the oak doors.
"Damn Nora's lucky!" Alicia sighed.
"True...Diggory is pretty perfect." Aveline said.
"And the guy is fit. The sex is probably amazing!" Lucy added.
"Lucy!" Nataleigh scolded as the guys laughed and Fred seemed rather uncomfortable.
"Are you telling me you think I'm wrong?" Lucy questioned with a grin.
"Fine! You're probably right!" Nataleigh said laughing.
"We should get going... I've got a bottle of fire whiskey and some butter beer with our names on it!" Erik said.
"Where are we going?" Cedric asked as Nora lead him towards an empty corridor.
"You'll see soon enough!" She said as she stopped in front of a wall.
"Nora...There's nothing there." Cedric said looking at her curiously.
"Just wait a minute." She said as a door appeared in front of them. "Aha! There."
"The room of requirements?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Yep" She said opening the door. "Are you coming? Or are you planning on spending the night out here?"
"I'm coming." He answered smiling at her.
They entered the room where there was a small fire place, two arm chairs and a decent sized bed.
"Do you like it?" She asked biting her bottom lip.
"Of course I love it." He said smiling at her as he put his arms around her waist.
"Presents first! My dirty intentions later." She said jokingly.
"Dirty intentions? Now I'm curious." He answered laughing.
"As I said, presents first." She said as she went to get a neatly wrapped present and an envelope.
"Which one do I open first?" He asked as he sat down near the fireplace and she handed him the presents.
"The bigger one." She said smiling.
Cedric unwrapped what was a dark leather scrapbook.
"Well you know how over the summer you were saying you didn't have much photos? Well now you've got tons...Your mum gave me quite a few...And I got Patrick and Bridget to give me some from Hogwarts...And I had a fair amount...So there's pretty much everything in there...Do you like it?" She asked looking slightly insecure.
"How could I not? It's great Nora I love it." He answered.
"Really?"
"Yes really!" He said laughing.
"Good now the next one!" She said seeming excited.
Cedric opened the envelope and pulled out a card.
"Nice card..."
"Open it Ced." She said grinning.
Inside the card were four tickets for the Quidditch World Cup final next summer.
"But...how did you get these? They're not even for sale yet?" He asked bewildered.
"Well they are some advantages to being a DeBordeaux." She said grinning at him.
"Nora...This is...wow...But it must have cost you a fortune!"
"Don't worry about it...The contents of my vault have not suffered at all." She answered.
"But...wow..." He said staring at the tickets.
"I'm glad you like them." She said smiling at him.
"You really are the best...You know that right?"
"Well I might have been told once or twice." She teased.
"Well it's true." He said getting up and snaking his arms around her waist.
"Why thank you." She said putting her arms around his neck and smiling at him.
"I'm serious...Thank you Nora." He said looking into her eyes.
"You're welcome." She said lightly pressing her lips against his.
He kissed her back sweetly at first but the kiss quickly grew more passionate as both their tongues attempted to gain control of the kiss. They slowly made their way across the room until they bumped into a wall. Nora gasped in surprised while Cedric grinned into the kiss.
"You've-really-got-a-thing-for-walls-haven't-you?" She said teasingly as they broke the kiss panting.
"Are you complaining?" He asked jokingly as he kissed her neck.
"Merlin no." She said grinning and firmly pressing her lips to his as she started unbuttoning his shirt.
She quickly discarded the shirt on the floor while they kept kissing forcefully.
"Not bad for a Hufflepuff." She said teasingly between kisses.
"Quidditch will do that for you." He said jokingly.
"Well then thank Merlin for Quidditch." She said resting a hand on his sculpted chest as the kiss grew more passionate.
"Why do you have so many layers of clothes on?" He asked teasingly as they broke apart.
"That can easily change." She said pulling her jumper over her head and pulling off her tie as she firmly pressed her lips back to his.
He proceeded to unbuttoning her shirt trying not to break the kiss. He finished unbuttoning her shirt and tossed it revealing an expensive looking navy bra with a black lace pattern. She gave a small shriek of surprise as he bare back hit the cold wall and Cedric grinned into the kiss.
"That-is-not-fair!" She said between breaths as they broke apart for a moment.
"You said I could take advantage." He answered teasingly.
"Trust me I regret it already." She joked looking into his eyes.
For a moment they simply looked at each other.
"You're beautiful." He said sincerely as he pushed a strand of hair from her face.
"You don't look so bad yourself." She answered grinning.
He kissed her sweetly on the lips. "I love you Nora." He said looking into her gray eyes.
"You too." She said smiling.
"Do you?" He asked as he slightly shifted away from her.
"Of course...I just said so." She answered wondering what was going on.
"You said 'you too'...You always do...or same here or something like that."
"What?" She asked confused.
"You've never actually said I love you." He said looking at her.
"But isn't it the same?" She questioned looking slightly uncomfortable.
"No...Because once more I'm the one putting myself out there and you're not even willing to meet me half way!" He said as he started pacing.
"Because I haven't said I love you?"
"Because you're always keeping things from me. You're always closed off and you won't ever let me in!" He said his voice rising slightly.
"Sorry if I don't share my feelings with everyone all the bloody time!"
"I'm talking about with me! Not everyone. Like this morning! You always run away and you're constantly pulling away from me! You don't trust me." He said as he stopped pacing and faced her.
"I am not! Just because I don't tell you everything that's on my mind doesn't mean that I don't trust you!"
"I bet you tell Weasley." He said coldly.
"This is what it's about? Fred? You think I'm cheating on you?"
Cedric didn't answer which made Nora even more furious.
"Four years! FOUR BLOODY YEARS CED!" She yelled. "And never have I even considered being with anyone else. And especially not Fred! He's my best friend that's all there is to it! HOW MANY BLOODY TIMES WILL I HAVE TO SAY IT FOR IT TO SINK INTO YOUR BLOODY HEAD?"
"I'm sorry if I'm not comfortable with you having a best friend who's in love with you!"
"Now you're mental!" She said rolling her eyes.
"ARE YOU BLIND NORA? HE'S IN LOVE WITH YOU! HE'S ALWAYS BEEN!"
"HE ISN'T!" She insisted.
"OF COURSE HE IS! AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ENJOY THE ATTENTION OR IF YOU ACTUALLY LIKE HIM!"
"I'M WITH YOU! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"You're only with me when it's easy for you. Whenever things get serious you back out and you run to him!"
"Do you really think that low of me?" She asked furiously her eyes starting to fill with tears.
"How am I supposed to think anything else? I'm not enough for you! And I'm tired of having to fight to keep you from slipping away." He said as he passed his fingers through his hair.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" She asked taken aback.
"I think we need some time..." He said sadly looking at her.
"Oh...You're breaking up with me..." She said tears building up in her eyes. "Well that certainly wasn't what I was going for tonight."
"Nora...I just think it's what's best...For the both of us."
"Don't you dare include me in this decision!" She said coldly. "If you want to leave me then do it but don't you dare try and make yourself feel better by thinking the decision is mutual!"
"Nora..." He said as he tried to put his hand on her shoulder.
"Don't..." She said looking away from him. "So this is what you want?"
"I just think we need it... So you can sort out your feelings towards...everyone."
"And I'm the one with issues?" She asked sarcastically.
"YOU DON'T FEEL ANYTHING! YOU'RE ALWAYS ALRIGHT! I CAN'T DEAL WITH YOUR ABANDONMENT ISSUES AND YOUR NEED TO BE IN ABSOLUTE CONTROL ALL THE TIME! I'M TIRED OF LIVING IN YOUR BLOODY IDEA OF A PERFECT LIFE!" He shouted but quickly regretted those last words.
"I know my life is bloody well far from perfect." She said icily as she put her shirt on and headed towards the door.
"Nora! I didn't mean that..."
"What? The part about me sleeping with my best friend? My being an attention whore? The part about my being a coward? Or the part about ALL of my bloody issues?" She asked coldly.
"Nora..."
"Don't!"
"I just don't want to hurt you." He said as she put her hand on the doorknob.
"Too late for that." She said "And I'm not alright. ARE YOU SATISFIED? I'M NOT ALRIGHT!" She shouted as a single tear fell and she burst out the door.
When she got to the portrait she shouted the password to the Fat Lady.
"No need to be rude!" She said as Nora made her way into the common room.
"Hey! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Cedric?" Alicia asked.
"I don't want to talk about it." Nora answered icily as she sat down on the couch between Fred and Erik.
"Trouble with the perfect boyfriend?" Erik asked teasingly.
"Aren't you supposed to be off screwing some whore?"
"Already done that...But she was real nice her name was B...well it started with a B."
"Is that fire whiskey?" She asked looking at the bottle in his hands.
"If I say yes will you decide to fulfill your prefect duty?" He questioned.
"Just hand it over." She said.
"Fine! You really ruin a par..." He stopped himself midsentence as Nora took a large gulp from the bottle.
"Are you alright?" Fred asked looking at her concerned.
"You never drink this stuff!" Aveline said laughing.
"Well maybe Freckles finally decided to take a walk on the wild side. I encourage this." Erik said jokingly.
"You might want to slow down on the fire whiskey. I know you hold your liquor well but still." Nataleigh said.
"This stuff is really good." Nora said as she handed the bottle back to Erik while the others mostly drank butter beer.
"Yeah...But why are you drinking it? You don't like getting drunk." Lucy said.
"There's a first time for everything!" Nora stated as took the bottle back from Erik.
"Is this about this morning?" Nataleigh asked.
"What part of this morning? Because I have so many fond memories of this morning!" Nora said. "Anyways, where's Wood? He's usually here..." She added trying to change the subject.
"Doing Quidditch stuff." Nataleigh answered.
"Oh! Of course!" Nora said laughing.
The group then started talking about the upcoming Quidditch match.
"Are you alright?" Fred asked looking at her with a concerned look.
"I'm not." She said resting her head on his shoulder. "Ha! I actually said it!" She added laughing.
"So this is what Nora on fire whiskey is like?" Fred joked as he put his arm around her.
"I guess" She said giggling. "And it really isn't funny but for some reason all I can do is laugh." She said as she burst out in a fit of laughter.
Fred tried to suppress his own laughter but was finding it very difficult.
"What's wrong with her?" George asked.
"She can't stop laughing." Fred said chuckling.
"It isn't funny!" She said hitting him across the head playfully.
"It kind of is actually." Fred answered.
"Hey! I thought you were on my side!"
"I am...But this is quite funny."
"Fine! Enjoy it while it lasts!
The whole group laughed.
"Not that I'm not enjoying this new side of you but what brought this on?" Erik asked.
"Well I've had a crappy day. Which is the understatement of the year." Nora said as she took a shot of fire whiskey.
"Haven't we all?" Lucy said laughing.
"Well." Nora said taking another shot. "My father sent me a letter telling me that he no longer considers me his daughter and that I'm nothing but ordinary. And this was brought on by information my brother gave to him. My twin sister's afraid that our father wants me dead and I'm afraid she might actually be right. I actually saw my corpse...which isn't exactly a fun experience. Then I learn that my boyfriend thinks that I'm cheating on him with my best friend and then I thought we were good. And then, just to top everything up, I decide to surprise him for his birthday and he dumps me." She said taking another shot of fire whiskey. "So no I am not having a good day."
"Are you serious?" Aveline asked.
"Yep!"
"But why? You and Cedric seemed happy!" Nataleigh said.
"Well he thinks I'm cheating on him as you've all seen this morning...And I'm a coward and too much of a control freak...And he's says that he was the only one invested in the relationship. Oh and this bloody crap about me saying 'you too' instead of I love you."
"He's an ass." Lucy said.
"He is. But you actually do that last thing..." Nataleigh said.
"What?" Nora asked.
"I mean I don't mind it...But I'm your sister and I can't remember you saying I love you to anyone. Not seriously."
"Really?" Nora questioned looking at her sister.
"Yeah...Kind of."
"Ugh...But who cares?" Nora asked to no one in particular.
"We don't care Freckles." George said.
"We think you're great. Even though you're emotionally challenged." Fred said teasingly.
"Thanks...I think." She said laughing.
"You're welcome Freckles." He said resting his head on top of hers.
After a while of conversation about Quidditch, Hogsmeade and Sirius Black, Nataleigh, Erik and Alicia went to bed as Lucy passed out from too much fire whiskey on an armchair and Aveline and George fell asleep next to each other on a couch.
"Are you sleeping?" Fred whispered to Nora as absent-mindedly played with her hair.
"Sadly no. You?"
"Freckles...If I'm talking to you I'm not sleeping." He answered with a chuckle.
"Oh Merlin I'm drunk!" She said burying her face in his shoulder.
"That you are Freckles."
"I'm so embarrassed. I'm sorry I was kind of out of control tonight." She said chuckling at herself.
"We've all been worst. It was funny to see you unwind a wee bit."
"Really?" She asked.
"Really Freckles! We know you're not perfect and we still love you. You don't have to try so hard all the time."
"I don't know what I'd do without you." She said sincerely.
"Right back at you Freckles." He said as he hugged her.
"Am I really closed off and cold?" She questioned looking up at him.
"You're not cold. You simply protect yourself and you don't want to get hurt. Which is entirely normal." He said stroking her hair.
"But you don't do it."
"Well I don't have the pressure you have. And I don't have to cope with your father."
"Well I'm pretty much done with that. He made it crystal clear." She said her eyes filling with tears.
"Don't listen to him. No matter what happens, what your father says, or Diggory, or anyone else, you'll always have me. And you are anything but ordinary Nora."
"Thank you Fred. You're my person. I can always count on you." She said as tears poured down her cheeks. "I'm sorry! I'm such a mess." She added chuckling as she tried to wipe away the tears.
"If I would've had your day I would be at least ten times worst. And after all the times you picked me up when I was drunk or when I was upset I can at least repay the favour once!" He said chuckling.
"Alright then." She said smiling lightly as snuggled next to him and fell asleep.
"Sweet dreams Freckles." He said kissing the top of her head as he rested his head on her and fell asleep.
A/N: I'm back! And I already miss France! This is the longest chapter I will ever write...10 000 words... I got home yesterday at 5:45 pm and I've litteraly been writing this for the past day. I hope you like it... I know I'm quite evil and I was almost crying writing this because I really love Nora but this had to happen. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and added this to their favorites! Reviews, ideas and opinions are really appreciated! And it makes me update a whole lot faster :P A special thank you to BananaDaiquiriTimeLord for your review! I wasn't sure if I'd keep publishing this because no one seemed to be reading it...But that single review made me write this very, very, very long chapter in a day! I know there was alot going on so if you have questions go ahead I'll be more than happy to answer them! Finally, I have pictures of what the characters look like (they're older than they should be but use your imagination :P) and I'd really looove some feedback about them! And sorry for all the typos and mistakes...I wrote this in twenty four hours when I was jet-lagged and sleep deprived! I'll update in the next few days! Promise! :) Xoxo.