CHAPTER FORTY

THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING A TRAITOR

The holidays passed in a silent, akward blur. Al didn't talk to me once, not even to say "Pass the salt". Then after my Mum's "Have fun, and remember boys - look after your sister" speech, to which both boys rolled their eyes, we sat on the train and haven't been within 10 metres of each other since. It's awful but it's been OK.

2 weeks back at school and things have been OK. OK, but not great.

Rikki hardly ever sits with us in the Great Hall anymore. She sits with James and he refuses to sit anywhere near me, being that I'm the traitor I am. Sometimes I'll look over and see her staring at us, upset. I just smile at her, sadly, and she looks away. I can't find it in myself to be mad at her though. She's still one of my best friends, and besides, who am I to judge. I chose my boyfriend over my brother, technically (though I don't like to think about it that way).

But Louis sits with Mel and me most of the time, just like he's been doing for weeks now, and he treats me the same as he always has. I love him for that. I saw Al asking him how he could sit with me - as if sitting near me was equal to some kind of betrayal! He told Al that it was none of his business and all he wants to do is sit with his girlfriend and if I happen to be at the table then so be it. He refuses to take sides.

I thought Al would stop talking to him after that but he seemed to forgive Louis quickly. Apparently I'm the only one he can't forgive. Louis isn't the only one who refuses to take take sides but ... he's the most vocal about it. The rest of our cousins stick with their own friends and send me apologetic looks, never saying anything. Rose, however, has taken a side. My side! She now refuses to talk to Al and James except to tell them what complete and utter arseholes they are. It's actually quite funny.

Another change in my daily life -the best change- is that I get to spend loads more time with Caleb. He sits with us at lunch and dinner, and sometimes I'll make him cover his ears while I say the password and he'll come sit by the fire with me in the Gryffindor common room. He got a couple of "why is a Slytherin in here?" looks the first time, but nobody says anything. He looks a bit sad though. I think it's hard on him, not having any friends. And when people in school found out they said all sorts of horrible things about him. "He's such a bad friend, poor Al.", "He's such a player, he'll dump her in a few days, why ruin a family over it?" etc etc. They even accused that he's messed with my mind because "there's no way that she'd fight with her brother, in her right mind. She's never even had a boyfriend!" - As if I can't make up my own mind about who I like!

Then Hailey Frockler printed her expose. And I thought for sure things would get worse.

Little Lily's Little Lies

Welcome back to Hogwarts everyone. I hope you had an eventful Christmas - because Lily Potter sure did! Oh yes, our sources report that her holiday was filled with drama, tears and, you got it, more drama. Well, isn't Drama every one of the Potters' middle names?

In our previous articles, you may remember a SECRET BOYFRIEND being mentioned, one that Ms Lily was not too keen on revealing to the rest of the clan, but that was only a rumour, an assumption.

Now, though, that rumour has been confirmed. And we here at Hogwarts Weekly can put a name to that mystery boy. And a face, and a background etc etc. Because The FORMERLY Quiet One's mystery man is none other than our half-blooded hearthrob Caleb Fernby. A Slytherin, A 5th year, And her Brother's best friend! How many of you were expecting that, huh?

Apparently the affair has been going on for months behind everyone's backs and you can bet that when the truth came out this Christmas, there was an EXPLOSION of anger, heartbreak and betrayal.

Our sources say that the lovebirds were caught in a *cough* compromising *cough* position by her brother, The Golden One himself, and a massive fight broke out.

Albus, who we already know has a violent streak after he "alegedly" punched his sister last year, threw the first punch but soon everyone was joining in. A broken, bloody Caleb, was finally thrown out into the street by Lily's enraged parents and was forbidden to come near the innocent young girl again. But is she still innocent? Our sources think otherwise.

But Lily and Caleb - too in love to be kept apart by even her family's rules - have stayed together and have been shunned. Lily's family are upset and refuse to talk to her, Caleb has been left friendless and alone. All of this begs the question ... What problem is next for the Potter family? We will let you know when we find out!

Reported By Hailey Frockler

I was so mad when I read it, so was Caleb, but then something amazing happened. People who had been mouthing off about us, feeling sorry for Al, suddenly changed their minds. Turns out that Hailey's story, which was meant to make Caleb appear as some Cradle-Snaching, sneaky Slytherin that stole my innocence and me the kind of girl who gives it up at the drop of a hat and betrays her family, made me and Caleb look like the victims. We are two people so in love, yet tragically being kept apart by my disapproving family. We defy the rules, getting shunned in the process, because our love is that strong. It's like a play we talked briefly about in Muggle Studies though I can't for the life of me remember the name. In any case, the article made people decide to take our side over Al's. But that made Al hate me morel. In fact that was the one time he actually spoke to me. Well, more like shouted.

*FLASHBACK*

I'm walking down the hall, on my way to Potions, when I bump into my brother. I fall over, like I usually do and he reluctantly sticks out his hand to help me up. This would make me happy if his green-eyed glare wasn't burning a hole in the middle of my forehead. He's about to walk about, and I don't want him to so I quickly blurt out:

"I'm sorry." I mean about bumping into him, but the apology sounds so ... sincere. Too over-the-top for the circumstances. He, being the brilliant Golden One, picks up on this.

"For what? For being too high and mighty to watch where you're going? Or for turning the whole school against me? Or, are you finally coming to your senses and apologising for sucking-face with my best mate!?" He says. His voice starts quiet but dripping with sacrasm, and ends with him screaming in my face. Luckily, most people have gone to class but there are some stragglers who stick around to see the show. I'm so angry that I start to stutter and then scream.

"Al- Albus - I-I - for bumping into you. About the article - you can't blame that on me, I never wanted, I mean, I didn't want people to take sides over this. It's between us. Just you and me. No one else. And that includes James, so you can tell him to butt out. And about me SUCKING-FACE with Caleb ... I'm not sorry! Not one bit, so you can just fuck right o-"

"Lily Potter!" Shrieks Professor Flitwick, the tiny Charms teacher who never quite retired, from the entrance to his classroom, "Explain to me why you are disturbing my lesson with your bad language and loud volume? Detention!"

Albus sniggers and Flitwick looks at him as if he's only just realised he was there.

"Oh a little sibling spat? I've heard the rumours ... Well maybe you can sort out your issues tomorrow night ... in detention Mr Potter." He states, then slams his classroom door shut.

Al scowls at me for what feels like a lifetime and then looks down and shakes his head.

"Thanks a lot Lily. Couldn't have picked a better time to grow a spine." He smirks sarcastically. Then he walks away and leaves me to register his last words.

*END FLASHBACK*

So that's where I am now, on my way back from the akward detention Al and I just shared. It was horrible, but I just did my lines and left. No words were spoken.

I am just nearing the staircase when my upper arm is grabbed tightly and my mouth is covered with a hand, though I'm too freaked out to even attempt to scream. I'm pulled backwards into a little crook in the wall I've never noticed before. The unknown persons sillouette blocks the only way out and they take their hand off of my arm long enough to pulled their wand out of their pocket and whisper "Lumos."

The sudden light blinds me. Then as my eyes adjust I realise who is in front of me. I sigh.

"What do you want?"

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