Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, I'm just borrowing them, and no profit is gained.
The weeks following their return to Hogwarts were excruciatingly painful for Dell, for many reasons.
Not only did the date with Hailey for James go through (and Dell did pay the ten gallons without complaint) they continued to date for three weeks. What came as a shock for most of the Hogwarts population was that for the first time ever it wasn't James who broke it off with the girl – Hailey broke it off with him, a fact that James just wouldn't let go of.
"She just can't do that!" Were the only words that left James mouth for continuous weeks as, for the first time ever, he chased after a girl. He would not let somebody be the one to end it with him, and so for a long time James Potter stayed without a girlfriend, his sights set on one Hailey Jordan, who basically plain out ignored him.
If that wasn't enough, Tyler stayed firm with the point of not asking Roxanne out, no matter how long Dell badgered him. Almost everywhere he went Dell could be found by his side, whispering to him to forget about Fred, and stop being an arse, but he wouldn't do it.
Soon, rumours began, as they always did at Hogwarts. Dell having been seen always at Tyler's side, a rumour began that Dell was cheating on Fred with none other than Tyler. Dell thought it was such a stupid rumour – Tyler was like a brother to her – she doubted Fred would even consider it. Then again, as Dominique said, boys know nothing.
"Dell," Fred said standing beside James who was just shaking his head as Dell walked into the common room with Tyler. She saw the glare he sent back at Tyler and looked at her boyfriend astonished.
"You can't be serious?" She said looking at James who confirmed her thoughts.
"There've been many rumours going around, and I know you've heard them. So?" Fred said his face expressionless as the whole Gryffindor house listened with battered breath.
Dell just went up to him and smacked him in the back of the head. "Maybe that will knock some sense into you." She said.
"Told you that you shouldn't have even asked mate," James said looking at Tyler's disgusted expression.
"Me dating Tyler would be like…you dating Roxanne," Dell finished and Fred's expression turned to that of disgust while Tyler nodded his head in agreement though his face seemed to have paled a bit, a fact only Dell seemed to notice.
The rumours didn't stop, and James and Fred began bugging them both as to what was going on, but the weeks continued, Dell not giving up badgering Tyler, figuring maybe she'd eventually wear him down.
Once in early April the two were walking down a hallway, Fred and James off doing some sort of prank. As they walked Dell spotted Dominique and Roxanne walking their way, Lucy most likely off doing Head Girl duties. Dell smiled an idea forming in her head.
"Hey, Dom, I wanted to talk to you about who you think is going to be Quidditch captain next year. I mean, there's me, James and Fred, after all," Dell said making all four of them stop in the hallway.
Out of the corner of her eye Dell saw Roxanne's head lower, letting her red hair fall in front of her face. She watched as Tyler looked anywhere but at the girl in question as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well…" Dominique began before trailing off, also seeming to notice said actions. Her eyes seemed to open in realization as she looked back at Dell and mouthed, 'Roxanne and Tyler?'
Dell nodded her head and when she was sent a questioning look from said red head, she gave a grimace, and mouthed, 'Fred', making Dominique nod in understanding though send a glare Tyler's way.
"…you'll just have to wait and see," She finished her sentence the other two not seeming to have noticed the long pause. Dell nodded and gave Dominique a look to not say a thing and she nodded as the two headed their separate ways.
Then again, that look might not have counted for Lucy; Dell didn't know but was never approached by her, so she doubted she'd ever find out.
The weeks continued to drag on and soon Dell's badgering was put on hold as exam time approached, even James chase for Hailey was put on hold (something he was still surprisingly after) but they came and went and eventually the school year began to end, and still Tyler hadn't said a word and Roxanne only knew from riddled words from Dell that he liked her.
And as the school year ended, it looked like it might stay that way.
Edited 2020-02-15