A Soulmate's Love

Chapter 8 - The Lake

When I woke up, I was trying to make out where I was, before I remembered yesterday's events. I winced as I touched my hand, but it was much better than it was yesterday. I looked over my bedside table and saw that Ms. Pomfrey had a potion for me to drink. I quickly downed it and it tasted absolutely terrible. Luckily, someone had brought me food from what I'm guessing was dinner last night.

The plate contained chicken breasts, mashed potatoes, and a fruit bowl. In my mind, all I saw was grease, carbs, so I chose the less caloric option. I had just burned my entire hand, and I was worried about how I had to eat. I know, I know, a fruit bowl is actually healthy and any other day I wouldn't have minded eating it too much, but now as I saw it on the platter I couldn't bear to eat more than a few pieces. For an unknown reason, since I wasn't in control of the amount of fruit that was on my plate, it seemed like a mountain that I wouldn't be able to climb.

Nervously, I looked to see what else was on the table when my eyes landed on a stray piece of folded parchment. I opened it and found that it was scribbled up in messy and smudged ink. It read - I'm really sorry Althea Jane. I should've helped you in potions class and I shouldn't have acted the way I did. I hope you can come to forgive me, but if not, I understand. P.S, if you are not mad at me, can you meet me at the black lake after school? - Your apologetic & hopeful friend, George.

My lips crept into a smile at the apology he had written me. It was sweet, and I knew he had meant it. He had also brought me food which was thoughtful. I decided that I would thank him when I got the chance and that I would go to the lake to meet him. I could see it from the Ravenclaw common room and it was a sight to see. Shimmering waters, romantic swans, and a lovely path that led from the castle to the botanic gardens.

The beautiful fall colors reflecting on the water and crisp weather would make for the perfect date, no, it wasn't a date, simply hanging out with a friend who wanted you to forgive them.

I sneaked out of the infirmary before the nurse could stop me and went down to the entrance hall to see Elise. I hadn't seen her since she visited and I was on medicine at the time, making me drowsy. As I walked into the entrance hall I looked over to the Gryffindor table and saw George already watching me with an apologetic face. I nodded and smiled a little to show him I was not angry, which caused his face to relax completely. Elise waved me over and I ran up to her and hugged her, telling her I was ok as she worried about my hand.

"Let's stop talking about me and focus on you El. I saw what happened with Cedric, do you want to tell me anything?" I asked with a smirk on my face. I was trying my hardest not to laugh at her furious blushing and uncontrollable smile.

"Well... I talked to him again yesterday and ate lunch with him at the Hufflepuff table and turns out he's a really nice guy. He loves romance novels just as much as I do, and he was so sweet and thoughtful. I get butterflies every time he looks at me Theia, I really do like him." I could see by the look in her eyes that she meant what she said and my heart warmed at the sight. I couldn't help but smile ear to ear. She was in love, and by the looks of it, so was he.

I gave her a bone-crushing hug, over the moon at her happiness. Whenever Elise smiled, she made me want to smile as well, and today, right now, I could've cried from happiness.

Elise's life wasn't all that good. Her parents constantly fought with each other and since she was an only child, she was always alone. Naturally, I took the place of the sister she never had and was always there to put that beautiful smile of hers back on her face. 

"Theia you can let me go now!" As soon as I let her go, she continued telling me about Cedric, and how she thought that he might be her soulmate, and from time to time we would burst out laughing just because we were happy.