CHAPTER NINE

GOOD LISTENER

For a second, I really don't want to get up. I don't want to put on my Gryffindor robes that I don't think I deserve or my fake smile that everyone believes. I don't want to wander through halls unnoticed and be pushed and bumped into. I don't feel like being invisible today - in fact I'm pretty sure I don't have to. I could just lie in but all day and the only people who will notice are the teachers, Mel and Rikki. And I'm not even sure Mel or Rikki notice me anymore. I love them to pieces and I know they don't mean it but they are so involved with whatever secret they are keeping from me that they keep going off alone to discuss it - leaving me alone again. But in spite of what I feel, I get up and get dressed anyway. Then I head down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

Rikki and Melody are already there, whispering to each other across the table. I sit down and they stop talking instantly, turning to me and smiling. Rikki's cheeks are scarlet. She hates lying and keeping secrets from me, she's worried I'm upset (I am a little bit but I won't tell her that) but she is a good friend and will keep Mel's secret. I stack my plate high with eggs and bacon. I have a major weakness for bacon, it is the best food ever and the only thing my Mum can really make. All of a sudden I hear a high-pitched, angry shriek from across the hall - at the Slytherin table.

Now for the last few days I have been constantly on edge, wondering when my family will be pranking Hailey Frockler. I guess that time is now.

I turn around to face the sound and a hilarious, yet disturbing, disturbing image reaches my eyes. A large grey beard is growing on Hailey's face. All her makeup is gone and she had wrinkles. After a minute of her screaming her head off - by which point the beard is down to her waist - the shock finally wears off and 2 teachers cart her off to the Hospital Wing. At the bottom of the Gryffindor table is see Fred, Roxie and James literally shaking with laughter. I would find it hilarious too except that I know she has dirt on our family and will probably reveal it after this. I am a little sad - and concerned - that someone in our family has kept a seemingly large secret from us but that doesn't mean I want it to be public knowledge. My eyes, subconiously, flick over to the Slytherin table to my brother and Caleb. His other friends, after hearing about my public speech saying that Al was innocent, tried to start hanging with him again but Al told them to piss off.

At the Slytherin table Al is pissing himself laughing and Caleb is chuckling too. Even across the room I can hear his laugh - it's a lovely sound. Again, as if feeling my stare, he glances up, looking straight at me. His laughter slowly fades and the smile slips off his face as he sees my worried expression. Al doen't notice this because he is still doubled over with laughter, most of the room is. I watch as Caleb quietly slips out of his seat and leaves the Great Hall. He stops at the door and gestures for me to follow him. I hesitate at first but follow him, unnoticed by Mel and Rikki. When I get to the door, he is already half way down the empty corrior. Everyone is still in the Great Hall or have followed Hailey to the Hospital Wing to laugh at her beard some more. We are all alone. Regardless of the emptiness of the hallway, he pull me into a broomcloset. He laughs when he sees my face.

"Relax, I'm not trying to attack you. You looked so worried in the Great Hall, I was wondering if you were ok?" It was a statement but he turned it into a question. I shrug. I nearly always answer questions with a shrug when I'm with Caleb. I'm always quiet but he makes me even more so. He makes me nervous.

"Why were you worried? Her injuries weren't permanent. Al told me that Fred and Roxie came up with the idea and it wears off after 12 hours." I already knew that. I shrug again, "And you won't get into any trouble either. There's no proof that you guys had anything to do with it so-" I shrug again.

"I'm not worried about that." I mutter, looking at my feet.

"Then what are you worried about? Lily?" I stare at the ground as if it's the most interesting thing in the world. He places his fingers under my chin and forces me to look up. His knees are bent slightly so that I can look into his gorgeous violet eyes.

"What are you worried about, Lily?" He breathes, so quietly it doesn't seem real, "You can tell me. I can keep a secret."

And I tell him. All about Hailey Frockler and her stupid story. How I threatened her and how she told me that she knew things that she could tell people. Big things, bad things. I told this boy with the violet eyes everything and he listened. He was a better listener than Mel and Rikki. Than even myself. While I told him our bodies moved closer together in the tiny, tight cupboard.

"I won't make you. But you should tell your family, it's their buisness after all." He whispered.

"That's what I've been saying though. I can't. Nobody listens to me." I sigh, but not once taking my eyes off of his.

"I listen." He takes a stray strand of hair that had fallen in front of my eyes and slowly tucks it behind me ear. I tremble slightly. He leans in towards me and I think he's about to kiss me. I search his eyes and find them full of emotion - to many to read, he takes a step towards me and ...

SPLASH. He kicks over a mop and a full bucket of water. By the time a take it in he has taken a few steps backwards and all emotion has left his perfect eyes. I thought he was going to kiss me but maybe I was wrong. It would be wrong too. He is my big brothers best friend. He's a whole year older than me. He is beautiful and brilliant and caring and sweet. He has violet, soul-searching eyes and hair as black as night. He could get any girl he wanted easily. And he wouldn't want me. He clears his throat.

"Yeah well. I think you should call one of those family meetings. You would sit in that throne and they would have to listen to you, wouldn't they? Anyway see ya." He starts to leave the closet when I call out, unable to stop myself:

"If I called one of those family meetings ... would you be coming again or..?" I trail off, realising how desperate I sound. To my surprise he smiles then quickly hides it.

"Maybe I guess. If I'm allowed."

"It's my - hypothetical - meeting, of course you're allowed." This time he doesn't even try to hide his grin, and walks out of the closet. After a minute I leave too and head to class, the only thought on my mind being: He has a beautiful smile.

Hey everyone. Another quick note just to say Thank You for reading and reviewing my stories. All the comments have been nice so far and I'm glad you're enjoying my story. Who likes Caleb huh? Coz I love him. Yeah I know he comes out with cheesey lines but hey I love that crap. Whos you're fave character?...Review and tell me. Any ideas on who in the family has a secret?...Review and tell me. Basically any reviews are welcomed.

xxxx Thank you once more.