~Pottertalia~ (DISCONTINUED)

42

---3 years ago---

And so Alfred prepared a very Alfred way of apologizing. A bag of Muggle candy and a note that said "sorry" on it.

He started to walk to the Slytherin common room, humming a bit. Yes, he'd say sorry, they'd make up, and if he's chosen by the Goblet, he would live and win for Hogwarts. He'd be a hero again. It was a perfect plan.

But it wasn't. He stopped. Francis was outside of the common room with Arthur. And when he caught Arthur's eyes, Arthur quickly looked away and ran into the Slytherin common room again.

He went closer to Francis.

"Hey, Francis."

"Arthur doesn't want to see you."

"I know."

Alfred stood there a bit, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Please give this to him?" He stated it like a question. Francis eyed him.

"You should be the one to give it to him in person, you know."

"I know. But he's avoiding me, so please just give this to him and ask him to come to the Gryffindor table at the Great Hall tomorrow like he usually does."

Francis sighed. "Very well, Alfred."

---

Arthur eyed the Muggle candy, resolve slowly crumbling. It was his favorite kind.

He hid the note away in his drawer and opened the bag, grabbing one of the sweets with guilt. He glared at Flying Mint Bunny, who was shaking his head disapprovingly.

"Don't like at me like that," he hissed, biting into it aggressively. He tied the bag up again, and then whisked it away into his schoolbag. He wanted to forgive his marshmallow of a friend, but he couldn't at the same time.

---

When the results were revealed, there was absolute pandemonium in the Gryffindor common room. Alfred didn't offer Harry any particular words of sympathy, although he did pat him on the back briefly.

Arthur didn't come sit with him at the Great Hall like usual. He didn't even see the Brit there at all. Alfred frowned, biting at his chapped lips as he brought his fingers around himself. He didn't realize how much of his life revolved around Arthur.

He looked into the fireplace. How much he wanted to apologize to Arthur so bad! And then, another dumb (scratch that, genius) idea struck him.

---

Yao glared disapprovingly at Xiao Ming's handful of letters.

"Are they all confessions?"

Xiao Ming nodded helplessly, with a resigned smile playing at her lips.

He sighed, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the Ravenclaw common room to the hallway outside.

"Look, can't you say no?"

Xiao Ming frowned. "I try, but they do not give up."

Yao pressed a chaste kiss to her hair. "Tell me if they bother you again, okay?"

"好的, 哥哥." (Okay, brother).

Yao left her, opting to go to see Professor Moody instead. He had a question, after all. He turned a corner, and noticed Ivan. Yao gave a polite wave before walking faster. He didn't notice Ivan's longing glance.

Ivan sighed, continuing to walk. How much he liked Yao! But that Kiku was in the way. He'd need to deal with him soon, before it was too late.

---

"Thanks, I owe you one, Gilbert."

Gilbert laughed, smirking. "Nah. I like you much better than Arthur."

Alfred has infiltrated the cold common room! He just needed to find Arthur, now.

He began to run to each dorm, flinging the door open. He even came across Draco's, and the platinum blond teen looked like he was ready to kill. He managed to outrun Draco and lose him in the massive area of the ex-dungeon.

Finally, he reached Arthur's door. He knew this, because when he opened it, there was a shivering lump hiding under sheets that looked like it was about to make a run for it.

He tackled it, wrapping his arms tightly around the figure. Arthur squirmed helplessly.

"I want my candy back," he declared, pinning the blond down. He kicked his feet a bit, to no avail.

"I ate them all," he replied, endless green looking up at Alfred.

"Then accept my apology."

"If you let me go."

Alfred let go of him trustingly, and Arthur bolted. That didn't last long, though, as Arthur's face made contact with the cold floor.

"You okay?" Alfred asked, squatting in front of Arthur.

"I accept your apology, I suppose. I can't hide forever."

Alfred smiled, and to Arthur's surprise, he lightly kissed Arthur's nose.

"You still owe me a bag of Skittles."