Switching Sides | Cedric Diggory vs. Fred Weasley

Chapter 42: Point of View 2

*Millie POV* 

It's been three weeks since Paisley was expelled from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Three weeks since my own brother has spoken to me. Three weeks since Alicia's even looked me in the eyes.

I had one conversation with Paisley before she left. It was brief, but necessary.

-

"Millie?" Paisley stood at the portrait. "Can I talk to you for a minute?" 

Millie, angry, tired, and upset with herself, stood from the couch where she sat next to Fred and walked over to Paisley. 

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice cracking. 

"Can we talk in the hallway?" 

"You think I'm gonna be alone with you again?" she scoffed. "You tried to obliviate me last night. I'm not going anywhere with you," 

"Fine," she spat. "I'll just talk quietly then," 

Millie looked over her shoulder to see Fred watching her and Paisley diligently. 

"Talk then," she stated. 

"Look, I didn't mean for you to get hurt," she sighed. "I just thought that maybe you felt the same way about me...and if you never found out it wasn't you there'd be no serious harm done, and-" 

"Wait...no serious harm done?" Millie gawked. "You're joking, right? You were willing to take away two people who I loved and who loved me just for your own gratification? Just so you could have me for yourself? In no world is that left without consequences," 

"I didn't mean- ugh, you don't get it," she groaned. 

"I don't get what?" she growled. "Explain it to me because I'd love to understand what fucked up shit is going through your head," 

"It's hard liking someone you know will never like you back," she sighed. "I just...I couldn't stand to see you with someone else. I needed to be with you, and I knew that if I could just get rid of any competition you would be willing to give this a shot," 

"Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?" Millie chuckled. "God, you're pathetic. You ruined a perfectly happy relationship, then tried to ruin another one for your own personal gain. I thought you were a good person, Paisley. You let me defend you and ruin my own friendships just so I wouldn't be mad at you. But look where that got us now! My head's fucked up and you've been expelled. 

"You know, it'd feel really good to put all the blame on you, but I'm such a fool for trusting you in the first place over my friends. You did this and it's my fault. I hope I never have to see you again," Millie spat, tears brimming her eyes as she tried to turn around.

As she took a step away, she felt Paisley grip her shoulder and try to turn her back around. She jerked back and looked at the girl. She didn't move for a moment as anger coursed through her until she couldn't hold back. She threw a punch knocking Paisley right in the jaw, causing gasps to fill the common room. Fred and George both jumped to their feet.

Paisley was bent over, clutching her jaw when she looked back up at Millie and saw the obscene rage in her eyes.

"Do not put your hands on me ever again," Millie said lowly, sobs clogging her throat. "I'm sorry I hit you, but you need to leave. Now." 

Paisley, appalled, whipped around and was never seen by Millie Barrett again.

-

I've never been this upset with myself. How could I have been so fucking blind to not listen to Alicia, my brother, George, and all my other friends? I don't blame Alicia and Killian for avoiding me. I'd avoid me too.