Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Author's Note: A big thank you to those of you who reviewed the last chapter. And sorry for that very passive-aggressive author's note, I wasn't having the best day.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Thursday, November 17th 2022
Ravenclaw Common Room, Hogwarts Scotland
The common room is empty save for a few students that are finishing up essays in a panic, but still Grace can't make herself get up. She's been looking into the fire for longer than she cares to admit and hoping despite everything that he will show. She doesn't know why she does that. It makes absolutely no sense. They still haven't really spoken, and he's avoided sitting with her in class. There have been a few awkward moments of eye contact this week, but she isn't sure if she should consider that progress or simply unavoidable with the two of them having a lot of the same friends. It's so very different from before, when they would seek each other out for no particular reason. And she's seriously reconsidering her opinion on the turning back time thing.
The door swings open and Zoe flits inside. Her hair is all over the place, but then again it usually is, because Zoe has a habit of running her hands through her hair when she thinks. What is, however, slightly unusual is that she appears to be a giggly mess. When she sees Grace she sobers up slightly, but she's still practically skipping on her way over to the couch.
Zoe lets herself fall onto the couch next to Grace and grins at her. "You're in a good mood," Grace comments.
Zoe laughs. "Perhaps. " Then she sits up straight. "Grace?"
"Yes?"
"Why is Archie avoiding me?" Zoe is looking at her intently.
"How would I know?" She replies too fast, she realizes that the moment Zoe's eyes narrow.
"Maybe because I know what Archie looks like when he's asking for help without saying anything and lately he's been looking at you every time I try to talk to him?" Zoe crosses her arms.
"Ahh…" Grace bites her lip, "I don't think I'm supposed to tell you."
"Come on, Grace," Zoe takes her hand. She appears a whole lot less giggly and a whole lot more lost than she did earlier.
"I…" Grace looks away, but it's too late, she's already fallen prey to Zoe's begging expression. "He doesn't quite know how to deal with this… thing you and Lysander have going," she whispers, still refusing to look at Zoe. She's sure it was a terrible idea to tell her, even though Archie never explicitly asked her not to.
"Oh," Zoe says quietly. "Why?"
Grace shrugs, "It just… makes him uncomfortable, I think."
"Hmmm," Zoe looks uncertain when Grace risks a glance her way. Then she gets up and holds out her hands. "We should go to bed, Grace. It's late."
"Alright, Zo," Grace takes the offered hands and they leave the common room. Just before the disappear up the steps, Grace looks at the entrance one more time.
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