The Threads That Bind Us

Chapter 23

The familiar halls of Hogwarts seemed colder as Fidelity walked toward the Great Hall. It had been a couple weeks since they'd returned from the holidays, but something felt off.

Immediately after the holidays, things were going great. Fidelity had enjoyed the time spent with her family and was ready to get back to her lessons. She was grateful for the time she got to spend with her friends, and her and Noah were finally official, and she felt like they were closer than they had ever been. But in the last few days, something had changed.

Noah had been quieter, more distant. She'd noticed it almost immediately, though she hadn't wanted to admit it at first. Maybe it was the workload, or just the rush of being back, she had told herself. But now, days later, it was undeniable.

Fidelity caught a glimpse of him at breakfast, sitting at the Slytherin table, his face drawn into an expression of distraction. He hadn't looked up to meet her eyes. Her heart sank, but she tried to push the feelings aside.

Later that afternoon, when they met up for a walk around the courtyard, the tension was palpable. Fidelity had hoped this time together would help ease whatever was weighing on Noah. Instead, he seemed even more distant, responding to her questions with short, vague answers, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Noah, is something wrong?" she asked, her voice soft but tinged with concern as they reached the stone fountain.

He paused, staring into the rippling water, his hands tucked deep into his coat pockets. "No... not really."

Fidelity frowned, her worry deepening. "You've been acting... different. Distant. Did I do something to upset you?"

Noah's head shot up at that, his face flashing with guilt. "No, Fidi, it's not you. I just... I've got a lot on my mind."

Fidelity's gaze softened, but the weight in her chest remained. "You can talk to me, you know. You don't have to go through anything alone."

For a moment, she thought he might open up. His eyes flicked to hers, and his lips parted, but then he shook his head, looking away again. "It's nothing, really."

She wanted to push further, but the walls he'd put up felt impenetrable. Their conversation dwindled into silence, and the walk that had started with hope ended in more confusion and unease.

The next few days weren't any better. Fidelity could barely concentrate in classes, her mind clouded with worry over Noah. When she tried to approach him between lessons, he'd politely but distantly declined spending time together, offering weak excuses about studying or Quidditch practice. It hurt more each time he pulled away.

At lunch with her friends, Fidelity sighed, barely touching her food. Ava, seated across from her, gave her a knowing look.

"Alright, Fidi. What's going on? You've been in a funk the last week."

Fidelity hesitated before putting her fork down. "It's Noah... he's just been so... I don't know, distant. He won't tell me what's wrong, but I know something is bothering him."

Penny frowned, leaning in closer. "Have you asked him directly?"

"Yeah, I have," Fidelity replied, her voice tight. "But every time I do, he brushes me off. I don't know what to do. It's like he's shutting me out."

Ava exchanged a glance with Penny. "Maybe he just needs some time. Boys can be like that sometimes, you know?"

"Or," Penny said gently, "he's going through something he doesn't know how to share."

Fidelity nodded, but it didn't make her feel any better. "I just wish he'd let me help. I hate feeling like this-like I'm losing him."

Fidelity couldn't help but lose herself in her spiraling thoughts. Am I not pretty enough? Am I not fun or funny enough? Am I not smart enough? Did he find someone better? Why would he ever want to be with me? I thought he liked me.