"I still think it's crazy that our DADA professor was literally He-who-shall-not-be-named." Olive shuddered as they packed their picnic basket. Today was Rowans birthday, and they were going to have a picnic.
"Remember that one time Sage helped Professor Quirrel during class, maybe He-who-shall-not-be-named will feel indebted to you." Jill gasped. "I doubt it." Athena laughed, entering the kitchen. "I wish I could come." Athena frowned.
"Sorry Thea, Rowan doesn't know you that well." Sage shrugged. "But everyone adores me." She frowned. "Sorry, Athena." Olive pouted, hugging the younger girl.
"I wonder who our DADA professor will be next year." Jill put in. "We'll find out soon enough, come on. It's time to go." Olive glanced up at the clock and they hurried outside, getting on their brooms, and waving Athena goodbye as they left for the picnic spot.
"Happy birthday, Rowan!" They got off their brooms at the picnic spot, which was near Sage's house. "Thanks." Rowan grinned as they set their basket down on the picnic blanket. "This is a cute little field." Olive admired the grassy field they sat in.
"This is where Sage and I used to play when we were little." Cedric smiled. "And me." Jill frowned. "Sometimes." Cedric teased. "Who made the scones?" Rowan asked, pulling a container of scones from the basket. "I did." sage smiled. "They're perfect." Rowan blushed, looking down at the scones.
"So how's everyones summer been?" Harper laid back on the blanket with his arms behind his head, staring up at the sky. "Good. Athena was sad she couldn't come." Olive told him. "She could've come." Rowan frowned.
"Really?" Sage asked. "Y-Yeah, really.." His face flashed pink, indulging on the strawberries in an attempt to avoid eye contact. "Gosh, I should've brought her." Sage frowned. "Did you.. Did you want to go get her now?" Rowan kept his eyes on the strawberries. "I'll come.."
"Oh, sure! Thank you, Rowan." She beamed, getting up and grabbing two broomsticks, passing one to Rowan. "Right." He looked back at Harper, who shot him a thumbs up, and suddenly Sage realised what might be happening. Why is it, she thought to herself, that Harper encourages Rowan, even though he knows she doesn't like him.
"I hope she's not too upset." Sage told Rowan as they flew back to her house. "When we land, I was wondering if I could speak to you before we go back inside?" Rowan interrupted, looking nervous.
Sage paused for a moment. She knew he must be wanting to ask her out, or confess his feelings, and she couldn't handle rejecting him on his birthday. "Okay." She smiled, unable to think of a proper excuse. She had guessed correctly.
When they landed, Sage subtly picked up a pebble, tossing it at Athena's window when Rowan wasn't looking. "So.. I just-"
"Oh, look Athena's already seen us." Sage interrupted, pointing up at Athena's window where she was waving. "Oh.." He waved back at her. "I suppose we can talk later." He smiled, and Athena came outside.
And for the remainder of the picnic, Sage dodged every attempt Rowan made to get her alone.. Which was a lot.
----
"And all the girls are swooning over him." Harper rolled his eyes. "I mean, what do they see in him?" He scoffed. "Don't talk about Gilderoy Lockhart like that." Olive scowled at him. "He's.. Dreamy." She gushed. "You're just jealous."
"Not you too." Harper shook his head. "You guys don't like him, do you?" Harper turned to Jill and Sage, who both shook their heads. "I personally don't think he did a single thing in those books he wrote, sorry Olive." Sage told them, sending an apologetic look Olive's way.
