Counting Stars || Poppy Snape

CHAPTER 20

The first week of school was finally over. I had overcome all the biggest challenges; potions, quidditch practice, homework... There was only one thing left. My date.

I mean was it even a date? All Cedric said was meet at 11:30 in the astronomy tower. No explanation, no further detail. Great.

I decided to not overdress since I wasn't sure what exactly the occasion was. As I was leaving I made sure to slip on the jumper Dad had gotten me last Christmas. I forgot to ask him about it over the summer, but there was just something about it that made me feel comforted.

I tiptoed down the stairs and tried to not attract too much attention to myself, even though no one was really paying attention to who left the common room.

Or so I thought.

"Hey Pops."

"You know that calling me Pops makes me sound like your grandpa right?" I replied to a smiling Oli.

"Now that's no way to greet your best friend is it?" He said as he took a step towards me.

"Watch me care" I said with the most neutral face possible.

He chuckled a bit and I couldn't help but smile as he hugged me.

"We've barely talked this week," he said in my ear.

I pulled away and started ranting "I know I know, and I'm sorry its just with my OWLS coming up all the teachers have been pressuring me and giving me a ton of homework even though it's only the first wee-"

"Hey, hey, hey" he interrupted me "Are you forgetting that I went through all this last year? I know it's hard but you'll get through it" I smiled at him "In fact... Why don't we hang out right now? It's a Saturday after all, and we can catch up on our summers."

I looked at him a sadly before saying "Actually Oli, I have plans,"

He stared at me for a good 3 seconds before he burst out laughing. "Hey! I'm serious!" I protested, which only caused him to laugh even harder.

I just rolled my eyes and waited for him to stop.

A couple of seconds later the laughter subsided and he held the side of his ribs "Wow, thanks for that I really needed a good laugh."

He grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards the couch, but I pulled back.

"Oli I already told you, I have plans"

He finally seemed to get it when he said "Wait- you were serious?"
I let out a groan "Yes! That's what I've been trying to tell you!"
"Oh" he said bluntly, "Where are you going?"

"The astronomy tower"

"With who?"
I hesitated. Why am I hesitating? This was nothing to hesitate about. All I had to do was say the name of my friend- was he my friend? Or something more? But why didn't I feel comfortable telling Oli? He was my best friend. In fact he was the only one that knew about what Dumbledore had told me about my skills. So why on earth was I not answering his question!?

"Poppy?" He said after a while

"I'm going on a date with Cedric" I blurted out. There was no reason to lie, right?

"Oh" he said bluntly, again.

We both just kind of stood there awkwardly for a couple of seconds. Until I looked over his shoulder and saw the time on the clock. 11:30.

"Crap! I have to go!" I said before pulling my arm away from him.

Odd, I forgot he was still holding it.

With that I sprinted out of the common room praying that I wouldn't run into any teachers and get expelled. Or worse, lost.

***

A/N: hey guys! Been a while, huh? Sorry for not updating and sorry for giving you the most boring chapter. But i have some awesome stuff planned out for this book so hang tight!