The Space Boy and The Red Head

19 - Breaking Down the Walls

Friday - 16th February 1996

Apollo and Lee ate breakfast in the kitchen the following morning. They skipped all of their classes too. Only briefly venturing out to grab a few things from their dormitory when they knew the twins would be in class. Neither Lee nor Apollo liked this situation, but they knew emotions were still too raw to handle a mature conversation with the others yet.

Although he didn't want to believe that Fred had meant any of the things he had said, it still stung. Apollo was certain now that no one else could find out. Hagrid and Lee had managed to figure it out this year and Apollo wanted to be sure they'd be the last.

Apollo and Lee, tired of hiding in the kitchen had decided to eat lunch in the hall with all the other students. Sitting down on the furthest end from their usual spot on the Gryffindor table. It went rather smoothly, they were undisturbed for the most part. The calm before the storm, thought Apollo. He looked up from his plate to see Lee glaring at the entrance, the twins were walking in. Fred was returning Lee's hateful look. George on the other hand, smiled apologetically at Apollo, dragging Fred away before they could start a scene in front of everyone, again.

Three trays plonked down in front of Lee and Apollo. "I heard yous two got in a fight with my brothers, course we're on your side, don't know what happened but they probably deserved it" Ron said. Mouth full of food. Hermione smacked his arm, scolding him for his manners.

"It's nothing, it'll blow over, just need a bit of space at the moment is all" Apollo said to the fifth years.

"It wasn't nothing. I'm still angry at him and until he apologises, I'm not speaking to him. And George too, siding with Fred even when he knew he was wrong" Lee said, voice laced with venom.

"What did happen?" Harry asked. Lee stood up leaving his plate and walked off.

"He's still a bit upset, we both are. Fred said some nasty things about werewolves trying to impress Angelina. Lee defended them and Fred doubled down. Things got heated from there. We know Fred doesn't actually think like that, he basically worships Remus after all. Finding out he was Moony was huge for him" Apollo said, Lee had left the hall now, and Apollo was nervous he'd be by himself all day.

"I can have a word with him if you want, don't think I should though. Let them suffer a little longer" Ron said, a wicked grin on his face.

"Thanks Ron, but it's fine. We'll probably have to talk to each other at the meeting later" Apollo's voice was hushed.

"Oh yeah. I forgot about that"
"Honestly Ron, does anything stick in that empty head of yours" Hermione and Ron were bickering again. It wasn't uncommon.

Apollo had gone to the room of requirements early. Lee was still off somewhere, probably with Lottie, and Apollo didn't want to go back to his room just yet. People were filling in slowly, usually in pairs, going off to a corner to chat with their friends. Apollo wasn't sure anymore if he wanted to be here, he felt so lonely. Evidently Lee wasn't coming. Standing up to leave he felt a hand grab his wrist.

"Can we talk? I don't want us to fight too" George said. Looking deep into Apollos eyes. Having not reapplied his Scar covering cream since removing it last night, Apollos scars were still much more visible. Tinged red instead of the pale shade that George was accustomed to. Apollo could see his eyes dancing along the scars, his hand moving up as if to trace them with his fingertips. He stopped himself before he could, dropping his hand back to his side quickly.

"I don't want us to fight either but Fred doesn't look to happy that you're talking to me" Apollo said. Casting a glance over George's shoulder to where Fred was stood, actively scowling at him.

"Oi! Apollo, hope you're apologising for yesterday!" Fred snapped. Apollo elected to ignore him, rolling his eyes then turning to address George once more.

"I hope you understand why I am not going to do that...  I think I should go, see if Neville needs a partner" Apollo turned on his heel. They resumed with their work on Patronus charms. The twins and Apollo were unsuccessful this time. Apollo made sure to congratulate Neville when he had finally got a silver animal to come out of his wand.

George couldn't summon his Patronus for any length of time today, the magpie only briefly fluttering out his wand only to vanish a second later. He'd managed so easily before, but no memory seemed happy enough or strong enough today. He'd given up hope for this lesson, absentmindedly doing the wand movement and saying the enchantment, trying to provide the illusion that he was working on it. In actuality, he was gazing at Apollo. Wondering if they ever would get a second date.

"Well done George, that one was better, try again with the same memory, try to relive it in your mind" Harry said as he walked past. George hadn't even noticed the spell working. He'd been thinking about his dinner in the kitchen with the boy across the room, the one he desperately just wanted to talk to again.

George thought hard about his date with Apollo, tried to remember all the smells, the way the light from the candles lit up Apollos face. The way they'd both laughed and how they'd both blushed when accidentally brushing hands against the others when walking back from Honeydukes. How Apollo had been so adorable in his reaction to George's lips on his cheek.

"Brilliant. That's perfect George. Really well done!" Harry congratulated.

George realised his crush on Apollo might be a bit more than a crush after all.

"Hey George.." Ginny whispered, "I thought you and Fred had the same Patronus. The magpies?"

"Yeah, must've changed I guess" he replied. Noticing how Apollo couldn't take his eyes off of the silver wolf that now pranced through the air.

A rumble shook the room. Walls shaking and the floor vibrated. Attention snapped away from the floating animals that quickly dissolved in the air. Everyone staring at the wall where a loud banging was coming from. Apollo had instinctively moved back over to George. Wand drawn and pointed in the direction of the noise.

Harry tried to usher everyone away from the wall just seconds before it exploded and crumbled. Instinctively George grabbed Apollos hand, pulling him closer to him.

"Catch them!" Dolores Umbridge yelled to her band of slimy students. Several Slytherins lurched forward grabbing hold of anyone they could and dragging the to Umbridge's office.

"Let go of him" Apollo growled when a large Slytherin tried to drag George out by the shoulder. Apollo standing his ground firmly between the two. Seeing him so protective filled George with a strange warm feeling inside.

"Don't growl at me, what are you? Some kind of mutt?" The Slytherin spat back. Apollo moved forward, brining his fist up to collide with the larger boys face. Blood poured from the Slytherin's nose as more punches were thrown between Apollo and the student in green.

The fight was futile as more of the Inquisitorial Squad dragged them all out. The entirety of Dumbledore's Army now rounded up. A month's worth of punishments given out. Effective immediately as they all sat writing lines, scratching the words into the back of their hands.