Trying | Hogwarts OC student

chapter 23

Alistair's Fury

The days flew by swiftly after Alistair's encounter Lila near the Forbidden Forest. In classes, he found it hard to concentrate, his thoughts persistently drifting back to that chilly night and the unexpected presence of Lila.

One evening, as Alistair sat in the Slytherin common room with a Potions textbook open before him, he became acutely aware of the hushed murmurs and covert glances aimed in his direction. The rumors had spread like wildfire among his peers.

"Did you hear about Montrose?"

"What's he up to with that girl?"

"I heard they were outside after curfew..."

Alistair ground his teeth, trying to drown out the gossip buzzing around him. He knew it wouldn't be long before someone confronted him about it.

Sure enough, Snape approached with his usual air of authority, his dark eyes fixed on Alistair with an intensity that made the hairs on his neck stand up.

"Montrose," Snape's voice sliced through the room, sharp and commanding. "Explain yourself."

Closing his textbook with a deliberate thud, Alistair met Snape's gaze with a mixture of defiance and simmering anger. "I needed air," he replied tersely, his tone laced with irritation.

Snape's expression soured further, his voice dropping to a dangerous low. "And the girl?" he pressed, his tone dripping with accusation.

Alistair's jaw clenched, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Just a friend," he bit out, struggling to keep his voice steady.

Snape's demeanor hardened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "A friend?" His voice was like ice. "Or someone you thought you could conceal from us?"

Alistair's temper flared, his patience wearing thin. "It's none of your business," he shot back, his voice sharp with defiance. "You have no right to interrogate me about who I choose to spend my time with."

Snape's nostrils flared imperceptibly, his jaw tightening. "Your behavior reflects poorly on Slytherin House," he stated coldly. "Your recklessness jeopardizes the security of Hogwarts."

Standing abruptly, Alistair loomed over Snape with barely contained rage. "You think you know everything," he spat, his fists clenching at his sides. "But you don't. You don't know anything about me or what I've been through."

Snape's gaze bore into him, unwavering. "And you think you can defy authority without consequences?" he challenged, his voice a dangerous whisper.

Alistair's chest heaved with anger, his pulse racing. "I don't care about your consequences," he retorted bitterly. "All I care about is getting through this year without your constant scrutiny."

With a final glare, Snape turned sharply and strode out of the common room, leaving Alistair seething with frustration and a sense of bitter triumph. He knew confronting Snape would only escalate tensions, but a part of him felt empowered by standing up for himself.

Later that night, Alistair retreated to his dormitory, the weight of Snape's reprimand heavy on his mind. Glancing at the parchment and quill on his bedside table, he debated whether to write to Lila about the rumors. Would she hear about them? Would she understand?

Deciding to clear his thoughts, Alistair began to write:

Dear Lila,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to apologize if our encounter near the Forbidden Forest caused you any trouble. The Slytherins have started to talk, and I fear rumors might reach you. Please know that you mean a lot to me, and I appreciate your friendship more than words can say.

Yours sincerely,

Alistair

He sealed the letter with wax and made his way to the owlery, sending it off with his loyal owl, Nimbus. As he watched Nimbus disappear into the night sky, Alistair hoped that his message would reach Lila before the rumors did.

Back in the Slytherin common room, the whispers continued late into the night. He went to sleep waiting for the next day to arrive.

The bitter winter wind whipped across the cobblestones of Hogsmeade as Alistair hurried through the narrow streets. He had barely managed to escape the watchful eyes of his Slytherin peers, who had been relentless in their curiosity and whispers ever since his encounter with Lila near the Forbidden Forest.

His heart raced with anticipation and nerves as he approached the familiar tea shop where he and Lila had agreed to meet. Pushing open the creaky door, he was greeted by the warmth of the hearth and the soothing aroma of tea leaves.

Alistair scanned the room, and there she was, sitting by the window with a book in hand, her soft brown hair catching the light. Lila looked up from her book as he approached, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"Alistair," she greeted warmly, setting her book aside and standing to greet him with a hug.

"Lila," he replied, feeling a rush of relief and happiness wash over him as they embraced. "It's good to see you."

They settled into a cozy corner of the tea shop, exchanging stories about their time apart. Alistair found himself opening up to Lila in ways he hadn't with anyone else at Hogwarts. He told her about the pressures of being a Slytherin, the constant scrutiny, and the challenges of balancing academics with his personal struggles.

Lila listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and understanding. "You don't have to face everything alone, Alistair," she said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and before they knew it, the sun had set and the tea shop began to quiet down. Alistair hesitated for a moment, then mustered the courage to ask, "Would you like to walk back to Hogwarts together?"

Lila's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You mean, sneak back into Hogwarts together?" she teased, recalling their previous clandestine meeting.

Alistair chuckled nervously. "Well, maybe not sneak this time," he admitted, his cheeks turning slightly pink.

As they strolled through the snowy grounds of Hogsmeade, Alistair felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in a long time. He found himself opening up to Lila about his dreams for the future, his fears, and his growing determination to make things right at Hogwarts. 

Their conversations delved into deeper topics—dreams, fears, and even their shared frustrations with the rigid expectations of Hogwarts life. Alistair felt a weight lifting off his shoulders as he shared more of himself with Lila, finding solace in her empathy and understanding.

Alistair and Lila sat by the lakeside, watching the sunlight dance on the water's surface. Alistair hesitated for a moment, then turned to Lila with a serious expression.

"Lila," he began, his voice quiet but determined, "I want you to know that you mean a lot to me. These past few weeks... they've been different. In a good way."

Lila met his gaze, her expression soft and attentive. "They've been different for me too, Alistair," she admitted, reaching out to gently squeeze his hand. "I feel like I can be myself around you, without any pretenses."

Alistair nodded, feeling a rush of warmth at her words. "I've been thinking... maybe we could spend more time together," he suggested tentatively, his heart pounding with anticipation.

Lila smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling. "I'd like that," she replied sincerely. "But what about... everyone else?"

Alistair sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know Slytherin House can be... judgmental," he admitted reluctantly. "But I don't want to hide anymore, Lila. I want us to be able to spend time together openly."

Lila nodded thoughtfully. "We'll figure it out together," she reassured him, leaning closer to rest her head on his shoulder. "I believe in us, Alistair."

As they sat together in quiet companionship, Alistair felt a sense of peace settle over him.