Nova's Universe

Chapter 23 (2020-2021)

Roger

"Owl post!" Dominique shouted, throwing her arms in the air. I rarely flinched at her boisterous greetings anymore, but this morning her excitement was on another level.

"Expecting a letter?" I asked, eyes glued to my cereal bowl.

"No, but maybe you are." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, a relief to my ears.

"How would you know?"

"Your dad told your mum, who told DeeDee, who told Dora, who told Vicky, who told me. You're in for a good day." Dominique threw herself at me, shaking me a little.

"Personal space, Dommy!" I winced, disentangling her grip on my shoulders. Physical affection, especially early mornings brimming with anticipation, wasn't my thing.

"Sorry!" She covered her mouth, remembering my limited tolerance for hugs. With a sigh, she sat down beside me, unusually still.

"So, you know what's in here?" I asked as our family's owl landed gracefully in front of me.

"Yes," Dominique grinned proudly. "And I'm guessing you do too by now." She pointed at the envelope clutched in the owl's beak. "Red and green, godfather alert, right?"

"Always sends letters in these," I sighed, gently retrieving the letter and rewarding the owl with a treat from my pocket. I always carried treats with me so I could see their face light up when they received an award for their good work in delivering mail. "What makes this one so special?"

"Just open it and see!" Dominique's hands hovered near my shoulders, her excitement barely contained. With a final thought, she clasped them behind her back, wiggling instead.

"Good morning, Roger." I turned my head to see a classmate from Hufflepuff smile and wave at me.

"Morning, Stephanie," I replied, turning back to the letter on the table.

Dominique bounced in her seat again. "Someone has a crush!"

"What?" I was clueless.

"Oh, come on, Rog," Dominique rolled her eyes. "You're going to pretend you don't know she has a crush on you?"

"What?" I burst out laughing. "We have most of our classes together, and she says good morning every day. How does that mean she likes me?"

"Because I share some classes with her too, and she never even looks my way," Dominique pointed out. "And that smile," she continued, "it was one of those smiles girls only give their crushes."

"Stop it, Dominique," I groaned, heat creeping into my cheeks. Getting sick a week before exams was not ideal.

"And the hair flip!" she added dramatically.

"The hair what?" I stammered, completely bewildered.

"The hair gesture," Dominique explained, unfastening her ponytail and shaking her head slightly. Then, slowly, without breaking eye contact (which was making me incredibly uncomfortable), she tucked a strand of hair behind her right ear.

"Don't be ridiculous!" I exclaimed, my hot face now accompanied by a rapid heartbeat.

"Trust me, Roggie," Dominique winked. "I know what a girl with a crush looks like. Merlin knows I've had a few myself."

"A few, yes," I countered, playfully rolling my eyes.

I wouldn't know how to answer if someone asked when Dominique became my best friend. It seems she just sat with me in class one day and never left. I never quite understood why she wanted to be friends in the first place. Sure, we're cousins, but she's a whirlwind of energy and cheer, while I'm quiet, reserved, and happiest curled up with a book about dragons. Mum tried to explain with the "opposites attract" theory, citing her friendship with Aunt Penny at Hogwarts. Still confused, I even asked Dominique about it. She simply said I made her feel safe, like she could tell me anything without judgment.