Ardent Adversaries

Chapter 12: Aftershocks

I wake up with a massive pounding in my head and a mouth that feels like sandpaper. I look around me as I sit up. This is most definitely not my room. The red and gold color scheme tells me that much. I sit up a bit more and see that the room is empty and the door to what I assume is the bathroom is shut. I'm still in my dress from last night and I pick at the hem as my memories of the night before flood back to me. I feel the tears start to fall freely down my cheeks as disgust and anger fills me. I tuck my knees to my chest as I let myself cry. I look up as the bathroom door creaks open. Weasley walks in and looks at me for a second before speaking.

"Hi," He says softly, crossing over to sit on the end of what I guess is his bed.

"Hey," I croak out. "Can I have some water please?" He nods and conjures a cup and fills it with water for me. I wipe the tears off my cheeks and take the cup, taking a long drink. As I drink the water, he reaches into his nightstand and grabs a vial of something. I look at him skeptically. I'm reluctant to take anything from anyone after last night.

"What is it?" I ask him as he hands it to me.

"Hangover potion, Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes specialty brew," He replies. "I'm not sure if it'll help if he slipped you a drug but it might lessen the headache." I nod and down the potion in one gulp. It tastes vaguely of peppermint and after a moment or two, the pounding in my head settles into a dull throb. We sit in silence for a few minutes before he speaks. I pick my nails anxiously as I try not to cry again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asks me. I look at him and then I burst into tears. His eyes widen and he scoots closer to me.

"How could I be so stupid?" I ask through tears.

"Hey, hey, hey," Weasley says. "You're not stupid, okay? Pucey is a prick and the only person at fault is him. You're safe now okay?" He scoots closer and puts his arm around me, letting me cry against his shoulder. Against my better judgement, I lean into his side.

"It is my fault," I cry. "I left my friends and I let him touch my drink. That's rule number one of being a girl." Weasley looks at me and tilts my head up with his knuckle.

"It is not your fault," He says. "And I'm gonna keep telling you that until it sinks in, okay?" My eyes widen a little at his kindness. I decide to test the waters a little. Something about his kindness is disarming. Maybe I don't hate him so much after all.

"Okay," I say reluctantly. "Thank you... Fred."

"Of course," Fred replies, looking a little stunned. "Olivia." I give him a small smile.

"I think that's the first time I've said your name in the seven years we've been at Hogwarts," I say, sitting up from his shoulder and wiping my tears away.

"Yeah," He responds. "It feels a bit weird." I laugh at that and he joins in.

"I should get going, Cofford is probably worried sick," I stand up off his bed and look around for my shoes. "Thank you again for helping me, you were a good, uh, friend to me last night."

"What are friends for?" He replies, standing up next to me. "Let me know if you need any help getting back at Pucey, yeah?" I nod.

"I will," I laugh. "See you tomorrow night for the prank?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Fred says, offering me a small smile. I grab my shoes and check their common room before sneaking out. I must have left my wand either at the party or in my dorm because I don't have it with me. I make my way quickly down to the dungeons, clutching my shoes in my hand. I enter our common room and see Hugh pacing around the room with Tara sitting on the couch.