Between the Cracks // 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

58. Leisure Reading

So excited to write the next couple of chapters. Cosy alert.

Chapter 58: Leisure Reading

Before she knew it she was stood down at the platform in Hogsmeade, hugging her friends goodbye as they boarded the train and trudged their way through the carriages. For a moment she regretted not coming with them, if only for the train ride itself. She realised that their return would be the final trip to Hogwarts ever – a moment she now wouldn't experience. Once she had taken a mental step back from the situation she told herself that it was, after all, only a train ride, and one that she had taken many times across the years. But still, she couldn't help but feel slightly like she was missing out.

A few students, not many at all, had opted to stay at Hogwarts during the holidays, a few of them accompanying friends to the platform just as Leigh had. One of them was Neville, who had embraced and kissed his partner Louise goodbye before watching her climb onboard the train. He gazed at her through the window, and waved as the train started its journey down towards London's Kings Cross.

Neville sighed as he turned to Leigh, giving her a small smile. The two of them made their way up towards the castle once more. Leigh subtly glanced towards the direction of the joke-shop, a hidden smile tracing her lips.

"So what's the plan for the holidays?" Neville asked casually, making conversation as they made their way through the snow.

"Not a lot. I'm– I'm actually spending some time down in Hogsmeade," she divulged, and Neville nodded, as if he already knew.

"Ah, you're seeing Fred aren't you?"

Leigh's words stopped in her throat. "What do you mean?"

"Aren't you two together?" he looked at her from her right. "Or am I not allowed to say that?" he gave her a timid smile.

She shook her head. "I mean, you can say it. It's just it's...it's wrong. We're just friends."

"Oh, sorry then. Walked past you in the corridor a while back and... But I shouldn't have assumed. You look good together though. I mean, if you want to hear that. Or, like, as friends," he spoke on, starting to stumble over his words as he took note of her silence.

"Oh," she finally mumbled. "No, no, yeah, we're just friends." She quickly pushed any further thoughts on the subject out of her head.

"Ah," he nodded. "To be fair, he is a good friend to have. Threatened to beat someone up for me once. Not that I could say yes to that."

Leigh's eyes widened. "Really? Who?"

"Yeah," Neville spoke enthusiastically. "Don't quite remember. Some Slytherin back in the day. Although I'm sure he wouldn't have turned down a fight with a Slytherin regardless of who it was for. Just happened to be me."

Leigh couldn't help but let out a light laugh. "Oh, God." It didn't surprise her one bit. The smile stayed on her face as she returned his question. "What's your plan for the holidays?"

Neville shrugged. "I'm not sure, really. Was planning on just hanging around but Louise was talking about me maybe coming over for a few days, like Christmas day and some more day. I don't know. Depends on what she says. I would love to come but...nervous of course...about meeting her family. But we'll see. She'll send me an owl later. It's quite empty in the castle this year so I really wouldn't mind going somewhere."

"Tell me about it," Leigh spoke with a smile.

-

Fred had told her that he would get her in the afternoon the next day, but once the afternoon approached, and her bag was packed and ready, she realised that 'the afternoon' encompassed a large range of time. And so, she found herself both impatient, excited and nervous as the minutes ticked by. She had left her bags in her dorm, but sat herself down on the couch in the otherwise quiet common room, making sure she was within range to hear the knocking on the portrait.