Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters.
Note: SiobhanPhelps- I love the all caps. lol. So glad you're surprised with each chapter (PS: as I was writing/editing I decided you remind me of Abby. Happy and excited and kind, so congrats! You're now "part of the story"). It just gets bumpier from here! Everyone else, read, enjoy, comment, you'll love the personal shout outs. =)
Tattletale
"I don't want to have this talk here" he said to her as I continued looking from one to the other. Mat was something? I wondered as he looked at me.
"You don't have to come" he said kindly as he stood up. It took me a minute but I was on my feet as well, following both of them even though I could see Matt's face show a hint of worry.
"Are you dangerous?" I asked as soon as we got out into the hallway.
"What do you think Hermione, you've done all the research" he said giving her a look.
"Fred told me to look into it" she said defensively.
"That doesn't always mean you should. I'm not a riddle to be solved, I'm a human being" he said. I couldn't help but feel some sort of sadness, Hermione had went off to obsessively look up whatever Fred asked her and Fred didn't even tell me. "You already know I'm a Seer, like you" he started as Hermione quickly looked from him to me as I nodded.
"Yeah, an er, Alternate Seer or whatever you called yourself" I said as he nodded though he still looked unhappy about the conversation.
"He can change his appearance" Hermione blurted out. I stared at her for a second, I knew there was a potion that did, but, it was complicated and not exactly long lasting.
"Like the Polyjuice Potion?" I asked as Hermione shook her head.
"No" Matt started as he closed his eyes, rubbed his temples and then let out a heavy sigh. "Look at me" he said indicating his body. "What color is my hair?" he asked. I made a face as I looked over at Hermione, why did she look so torn up about the question.
"Nearly black" I said at the same time Hermione said "Ginger."
"What?" I asked her looking back at Matt.
"You're right though" he said nodding at me.
"Because she's a Seer?" Hermione asked as Matt shrugged.
"Probably" he said though he didn't sound too sure of it. "That's why everyone stares at me. I appeal to whatever attracts them" he said.
"Why?" I asked but he shrugged.
"It's what I am" he said sounding disheartened and annoyed about it.
"But there has to be a reason, people don't just look different" I told him but he seemed to become a little agitated.
"Five minutes ago you didn't know, I wanted to keep it that way, I wanted you to see me not what you think I look like" he said. "You're the first person around here Tam who's seen me as me and it's comfortable, it makes me feel comfortable. You don't stare at me or feel intimidated" he said with a shrug. "But I figured Fred would tell. I'm sure he was talking to George" he said.
"They can't see the real you, can they?" I asked as he shook his head.
"Tammie, Hermione" he said shaking his head as he leaned against the banister. "I'm an Alternate Seer and you found out what that really means" he said nodding at Hermione. "But, there's a lot of other stuff you don't know about. A lot I need you to stay away from, not just for my sake but you as well" he said. "I haven't had a lot of friends, and this week has been great, I wanna continue whatever friendship we have" he said looking at me as I felt my stomach tightened. My mind was still on the fact that I saw the real him.
"Matt" I interrupted, my thoughts suddenly shifting. "How many other Alternate Seers do you know?" I asked my mind thinking of Burnner-Madison.
"Not many, I mean, a few here and there" he replied.
"Would you be able to see one if I pointed them out?" I asked.
"Depends, if they put a spell on themselves to block it, then no" he said.
"Does the block disable everyone from seeing that person's real self?" I asked but he shook his head. "I didn't think so" I said my heart sinking a little.
"Why?" he asked more firmly.
"I didn't want to tell you this," I said looking at Hermione. "I mean, I wanted to tell Melinda first, but," I paused to shake my head, I could feel my hands shaking and sweating.
"Is that my wonderful brother?" we turned to see Courtney coming toward us. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a pink tank top that could've been buttoned up more. "Hey Tammie" she said pausing when she saw me and nodded at Hermione who looked even tenser. Courtney was quick to catch on, settling her eyes on Matt, as if telling him 'told you so.' "Don't worry, I'm just little 'ol me. I look the same to everyone" she said with a happy shrug. "But it really makes you wonder who really is who, doesn't it?" she asked as I stared at her.
Before any of us could say anything in response the portrait opened and Abby emerged. I started to say something to Hermione and Matt about dinner but caught Courtney's look as she looked at Abby. It was the way Burnner-Madison-whoever looked at me, the same excitement. Like I was a toy. The same way Courtney looked at me when we first met. But there was something more in Courtney's eyes, and did they get darker? I wondered as I tried not to lean closer.
"Abby" I said puling myself out of thought. However Courtney was looking at Abby I did not like it, I had to get her away, she was just a kid, she did not need to be involved in whatever was going on.
"Ready for dinner?" she asked as she glanced over at Matt and then looked at Courtney.
"Yeah, c'mon" I said as I ushered her down the stairs.
Halfway down we bumped into the twins. "Abby, save me a seat" I told her as I stood on the step. George sighed and turned back around, either not willing to listen or not caring to listen. "You had someone look into him?" I asked feeling annoyed and oddly betrayed.
"I don't trust him" Fred replied as if it were that simple.
"Have Professor Madison looked into then, not my friends" I told him harshly as he seemed to glare at me.
"You don't even know him" he said coldly.
"I seem to know him better than you right now" I replied as coldly as I started to walk way but Fred grabbed my arm so I had turn around.
"Listen to me, it's my gut okay? Just like your gut tells you Professor Madison is Burnner my gut tells me Matt is hiding something" he said in a low voice. I shook my head, only the first week and we were arguing.
"That professor is Burnner, Burnner tried to kill me, Matt has nothing but defend me—and you!" I reminded him.
"Right, I'm sure that was out of the goodness of his heart" he replied as I laughed as a way to show this whole situation was unbelievable.
"Don't overthink this, it's nothing" I told him firmly but it was obvious he was trying not to snort. "Right and Charity? And what about last year? Honestly Fred how many girls have you hooked up with that aren't over you?" I asked not exactly meaning to use that comment.
"Before I met you, a lot. Since being with you, none" he said sharply. I felt a sting of guilt run through me. I kissed Oliver while with Fred third year, I dated his best friend last year. He did nothing.
"Matt didn't deserve you treating him like an experiment and I don't like that you did that behind my back" I told him trying to get back to the originally conversation.
"I'm not sorry" he said as he moved up a step. "My gut doesn't trust him Tammie. I don't like him. For the last time I will do whatever it takes to protect you. If means losing a friend along the way, fine. It means you're safe" he said. I wanted to argue, to tell him he was being unfair, but even before I could open my mouth his lips were on my mine. This kiss was different than the other times I had kissed him recently. Passionate, loving, everything. I could feel the tingle in my toes and fingers, I could hear his heart as he pulled me closer.
He didn't say anything when we pulled away, just gave me a lighter kiss, pushing hair out of my face as he did. "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you. I'm sorry if you took my actions the wrong way," he said quietly. All I could do was nod, I wanted that kiss again. I searched his face, I could see what Matt was talking about. That look.
"I should go eat" I said so low I was surprised I heard myself. He nodded but didn't take a step back. This was almost like the awkward first date we never had.
"Okay" he said. "I need to see if I can find Matt" he said as I nodded, still neither of us moving.
"Fred" I started, feeling my voice tighten as I could've he held his breath. "I—you…" I trailed off, I couldn't say it. I thought to myself as I kissed him. "Thank you, next time though, just tell me" I said instead, a completely different direction I planned to go.
"Okay" he said a few seconds. I doubted that was he wanted to hear.
Finally he nodded, kissed me goodbye and walked off. I took a long breath out, and moved down to the Great Hall. I would have to give Melinda an update, I already wondered if anyone told her. I wondered if she would be waiting. If Fred said anything it was that I needed to talk to her. Sure enough as soon as I entered the Great Hall I spotted Melinda next to George. "Hey" I said to her as I sat down. She stopped smiling upon seeing my expression.
"You and Fred—"
"No," I said even before she finished.
"Good because—"
"I know, I know, stab me with a fork" I said with a roll of the eyes.
"Is that all?" George asked giving Melinda a disappointed look. "I'd expect more from you" he said as Melinda swatted him. He said his goodbye and was off. Hopefully to find Fred before Fred confronted Matt. I didn't want to admit it, I didn't want to agree with Fred, but my gut too was sending me warning bells about Matt. "So," I said drawing myself back to attention as Melinda looked at me. I licked my lips and launched into the topic of Alternate Seers and Matt. It took a while to really explain and she seemed weirdly annoyed by the fact that neither Matt nor Hermione could find a reason why only I could see Matt's true identity. I suggested it was because I was a Seer as well but Melinda didn't even really seem to hear that response.
I had just finished dessert when I looked up at the staff table. Professor Madison wasn't sitting up there and for a second I wondered if she had disappeared or resigned. But then another thought came to me. "Melinda…have you noticed anything different or…similar about anyone recently?" I asked her. She looked at me, looked around, her eyes instantly falling on the Slytherin table.
"Well Draco isn't glaring at me but I guess that's a little different and the same" she said trying to lighthearted about it.
"I'm sure he'll talk to you soon," I said trying not to think of the vision I had of the two of them during the start of summer. One of my first visions. I just assumed it to be wrong, then again, I probably wanted it to be wrong.
"Yeah, I don't think he will" she said with a shrug. "But, honestly I don't care, he's an ex for a reason. I have George, just like you have Fred," she said sounding harsher than I knew she should've. That meant Fred told her about Matt and whatever else he hadn't told me. So she knew things I didn't and of course if I asked I would either look stupid or uncaring. Just her look of hidden disappointment made me feel guilty.
The next few days were miserable, Fred spent more time with his candies, brother and Lee; it was almost like our last conversation prevented us from hanging out. It almost felt like right before we broke up. Tensions were high, George was glaring at me, Hermione looked worried, Melinda stopped talking to me and Draco made an extra effort to be nice.
At least Matt didn't do what Oliver did, he didn't try and move in. He was respectful of the space and whatever Fred said to him—if he said anything—he took it to heart and stayed his distance. I secretly hated though, he was my friend and Fred couldn't tell me who I could be friends with. He was a Seer and I needed that, I wanted that connection, I wanted someone to talk to. The cold shoulder from Fred was near heartbreaking and not having full conversations with my friends was unbearable.
Though I was thankfully to have Abby and her random acts of kindness—setting aside a plate of grapes one morning, helping me carry my books when my bag ripped, insisting I play chess whenever I got the chance and just overall smiling whenever she saw me. She wanted to be a Prefect and I was certain I would put in a good word.
Sunday night, almost a week later, I decided I would be friends with whoever I wanted. And I wanted to be friends with Matt. "Hey, wanna come with to the library" I asked as soon as he stepped foot into the common room.
"I dunno…" he said uncertainly but I rolled my eyes.
"Come on friend" I said as he sighed but I could see the small smile as we headed back out. I was a little annoyed to see Fred now especially since he never went to the library but then was instantly thrown off by Melinda and some Ravenclaw girls at the table across from them and then, and on the opposite side Draco, Crabbe Goyle, and two Slytherins I didn't recognize. Crap.
