Wands and Wildflowers - J.S.Potter

Fractured Hearts

The end of November loomed like a dark cloud over the Gryffindor common room, the festive cheer of the holiday season unable to lift the heavy atmosphere that had settled among the six friends. The prank James had pulled on Oliver had left a rift that seemed impossible to bridge, and with each passing day, the tension grew thicker.

Daisy hadn't spoken to James since that day. She barely looked at him, and when she did, it was with a coldness that made his stomach twist. The pain of her rejection gnawed at him constantly, but he was too proud to admit it, even to himself.

"Honestly, I don't see why you're still so upset," Gwen muttered one evening as she and Daisy sat near the fire. Gwen was trying to coax Daisy into some holiday cheer, but it wasn't working. "It was just a stupid prank."

"It wasn't just a prank, Gwen," Daisy snapped, her voice low but fierce. "It was cruel. And I thought... I thought James was better than that."

Gwen sighed. "I know he was out of line, but you know how he is. He doesn't think things through when he's upset."

Daisy turned her gaze to the fire, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "He didn't even try to apologize. It's like he doesn't care."

Gwen hesitated before placing a comforting hand on Daisy's arm. "Maybe he doesn't know how to," she said softly. "James isn't exactly good at admitting when he's wrong."

Daisy bit her lip, trying to push back the hurt that had been building up for weeks. "I just don't understand him anymore," she whispered. "One minute, we were... close. I thought we were friends. And now..."

"Now, you're hurting," Bella finished, joining them and wrapping an arm around Daisy's shoulder. "And so is he. You both are."

Daisy shook her head, a tear slipping down her cheek. "He doesn't look like he's hurting," she said bitterly. "He just looks angry."

Bella and Gwen exchanged a glance, but they didn't press Daisy further. They could see how much the whole situation was affecting her, even if she was trying to hide it. They knew James was hurting too, but his stubborn pride wouldn't let him show it.

***

The next day, James was practicing on the Quidditch pitch, trying to lose himself in the game. But no matter how fast he flew or how many times he caught the Quaffle, he couldn't shake the nagging thoughts of Daisy. His frustration boiled over, and he pushed himself harder, recklessly diving and weaving through the air.

"James, you need to slow down!" Chris shouted from below, but James ignored him. He was too angry, too upset to care. He needed to get this out of his system.

But his anger made him careless. In his desperation to escape his thoughts, he misjudged a sharp turn. The broom bucked under him, and before he could regain control, he crashed into one of the goalposts.

The impact was brutal. Pain exploded in his side, and he plummeted to the ground, hitting the pitch with a sickening thud.

"James!" Chris, Ben, and the rest of the team were at his side in an instant. Gwen, who had been watching from the stands, rushed down to the field, her heart in her throat.

"Get Madame Pomfrey!" Gwen ordered, her voice shaking as she knelt beside her cousin. James was conscious but barely. His face was pale, and he was clutching his side, his breaths shallow and pained.

"Why the hell didn't you listen?" Chris muttered angrily as Ben ran off to fetch help.

James winced, trying to sit up, but the pain was too much. "I'm fine," he managed to say, though it was clear he was anything but.

"Don't be an idiot," Gwen snapped, tears of fear and frustration welling up in her eyes. "Just stay still, James. Help is coming."

Despite the pain, James couldn't stop thinking about Daisy. He had messed everything up. He had let his jealousy and anger push him to do something he regretted, and now he was paying for it.

***

Later, in the hospital wing, James lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Madame Pomfrey had patched him up, but she insisted he stay overnight for observation. Gwen and Chris had left after ensuring he was alright, but he knew they were furious with him.

The door creaked open, and James half-expected it to be one of his friends coming back to berate him some more. But when he looked up, it was Daisy.

She stood in the doorway, hesitating as if she wasn't sure she wanted to be there. When their eyes met, something flickered between them—pain, regret, longing.

"Daisy..." James started, but she held up a hand, stopping him.

"Don't," she said softly. "I just... I heard what happened. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine," James muttered, looking away. "Nothing I didn't deserve."

Daisy frowned, stepping closer. "Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true," James replied bitterly. "I messed up, Daisy. I know I did."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them was thick, but there was also something else—an unspoken understanding, a shared hurt that neither of them knew how to address.

Daisy sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I don't know what to say, James," she admitted. "I don't even know what to think anymore."

James looked at her, his heart aching at the sight of her so close yet feeling so distant. "I'm sorry," he said finally, his voice hoarse. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I just... I didn't think."

"That's the problem," Daisy whispered. "You didn't think."

She turned to leave, but something in James broke. He couldn't let her walk away, not again.

"Daisy, wait," he called out, and she paused at the door, glancing back at him. "I'm sorry. For everything. I know I've been a complete idiot, but I... I can't lose you as a friend."

Daisy's expression softened, but the hurt was still there, deep and raw. "I don't know if we can be friends right now, James. I need time."

James nodded, understanding even though it hurt more than he could express. "Take all the time you need," he said quietly.

She left without another word, and James was left alone, the weight of his mistakes pressing down on him like never before.

***

Later that night, Daisy confided in Bella and Gwen. They were sitting in the girls' dormitory, the curtains drawn around Daisy's bed as she finally let the tears fall.

"I hate feeling like this," Daisy admitted, her voice trembling. "I hate that he got under my skin. I thought I could just... ignore him. But I can't."

Bella wrapped an arm around her, offering silent support. "It's okay to be hurt, Daisy. It's okay to care."

Gwen nodded, her eyes filled with sympathy. "We've all seen the way you two are with each other. There's something there, even if you don't want to admit it."

Daisy shook her head, wiping away her tears. "I just want things to go back to the way they were," she said softly. "But I don't know if they ever can."

As the night wore on, the three girls talked quietly, sharing their fears and hopes. For the first time in weeks, Daisy felt a little less alone, even if the pain was still there, lingering just beneath the surface.

And in the hospital wing, James lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if he'd ever be able to fix what he'd broken.