our secret moments

chapter one

Frances

"Help me move, would you?" Fallon nudges my arm.
"Yeah, yeah." I help her shove the bookcase into place. The old wood creaks slightly from our pushing.
"I'm sorry, but I've got to go back to Hufflepuff house, ok?" She smiles, with her blue eyes.
"Mhm." I reply, then I'm alone.
All alone, I guess I have to thank my parents for that. Paying for a private room. No roommates. Not even my sister. She's in Hufflepuff, whilst I'm in Ravenclaw. It was easier before, with roommates, less quiet, less thinking.

Sometimes I think I was sorted wrong, that I'm too dark to be a Ravenclaw, too wrecked inside. Fallon is okay, she always has been. She's nice, fair. Everyone loves her, and with good reason.
She goes to every gathering, helps everyone. She's perfect. The golden child. She's good. She hugs, and kisses, and wishes. She prays to gods she hasn't even heard of, makes time for everyone. She's so, so good.

I stack my enormous amount of books onto my big case. My mother nagged me about the excessive amount, since there is a fully functioning library. The library doesn't have muggle authors, not romance novels either. No Jane Austen, Emily Brönte, William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Donna Tartt, Virgina Woolf.
My family are 'blood traitors', even if we are fully pureblood. Therefore I love muggle authors. They're brilliant, the can't use magic like witches and wizards, they make do. They have their stupid love, die for it. They're more pure than 'purebloods'. My opinions aren't popular, especially with the Slytherins.

I flick my wand and the rest of my books slide into their place in the case. My cat, Kevin, pushes his face into my hand. He purrs against me, rolls onto his back.
I love him so much, words can't explain. I might like him more than Fallon. He doesn't question my morals, or tell me to shut up.

••••••••••••••••••••
The next day.

Parkinson glares at me, it's her personal mission to taunt me. She never lets me be. Looks at me like she wants my head on a pole, like she's a damned witch-hunter. She scoffs every time I open my mouth.

I speak about my book report on The Secret History, and she laughs, laughs at me.
"What? Something you cannot comprehend?" I ask, my brows furrow.
"No? I found it shocking that you would even pick up a book like that. Perhaps you should go live in the muggle world, if you like it so much." She said in a snotty, stuck up voice. She's speaking to me like I'm an absolute idiot.
"Girls!" Professor Burbage says.
Parkinson smirks her stupid smirk, and kisses Malfoy's cheek, like I should be jealous.
I mutter "merlin's sake" under my breath.

She continues looking at me, and looks away when I look at her. She's so fucking infuriating. She thinks everyone worships her. She is in Malfoy's circle, that's why. He thinks he owns the school.

I can't wait to go back to my dorm. Get out of this warm and sticky classroom. I often feel as if the walls are closing in on me, I guess it's normal. The noise is too much sometimes.

The professor announces that we are free to leave, or stay for study hour, I stay, like usual. The overwhelming feeling has left my body, fortunately. It's normally me, and a few other Ravenclaws left. But today Parkinson is left. I find that very curious.
She doesn't seem to be doing any work, she just looks out the window, and at me. She fiddles with her thumbs a little. She tucks her black hair behind her ears.

I decide to finish my homework, and prep for a big essay in muggle studies. The potions homework, I get done quickly. Muggle studies takes more time.
I get up to leave, as does Parkinson. I hurry for the door.

"Stop!" She calls out to me, speed walking behind me.
"Leave me alone!" I shout. She's in front of me in a matter of a few seconds.
"Hi." She has me pinned up against the wall. Her face centimetres from mine. Her freckles and green eyes look different up close. Her hair looks blacker, even.
"What?" I press out.
"Help me with the muggle studies." She lets go.
I look at her. She looks genuine. "No."
She turns on her feet and walks away, leaving me against the wall.

I am baffled, my stomach churns.

The butterflies should not be there.
The should not be because of her. They aren't, I haven't eaten much today, I remember. I'm hungry that's why.
Not because of her.