~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 September 2011
Highlands of Scotland
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The nerve of that halfblood.
He had made a permanent residence beside me in two of the three classes Slytherin had with Hufflepuff: Herbology and Potions. Luckily, he sat with Teddy Lupin during Transfiguration, which was inarguably my favorite class. The red headed boy didn't have a serious bone in his body. Everything was a joke, and he smiled constantly. It was a big, lopsided smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes and made dimples appear on his cheeks. He talked to me constantly, distracting me with random questions, picking on me.
Wynn Sudrach was quickly becoming a thorn in my side.
"Circe, hey did you find that book you needed for your foot essay in arithmancy, Matt needs it?"
Stupefy me. By Merlin just take me out now. It was Lennox MacKendrick, fourth year, seeker for Slytherin, and my not so secret admirer. I blame my grandmother. If she has her way MacKendrick and his affluent family will be attached to her through me by graduation.
Threading one hand through Eris's fur for comfort, I didn't bother looking up from my Herbology homework as I surrendered the book to him.
"Uh thanks," he obliged, lingering. I begged he would go away. "Look can I ask you something?"
How I loathed people who didn't get to the point. Grandmother will be very upset if you don't entertain him. You know what happens when Grandmother gets upset. I took a deep breath before rising to face him, causing Eris to growl lowly at being suddenly displaced, "Yes, Lennox?"
He cast a wary glance at the black cat before smoothing a smile on his face that was obnoxiously perfect. Teeth too white, smile too straight, skin too smooth. I made sure my return smile was convincingly blinding. "Do you have any plans this weekend?"
"No, why?" I asked sweetly.
"I-I was wondering if you would come to Hogsmeade with me. It's your first time, and I know all the good spots. It'll be fun."
Merlin's beard I was in a tough spot. I had a million excuses, all of them worthy enough to be unoffending and believable, but my grandmother was sure to get word of it. Saying yes would please her, but it would also mean giving Lennox more reason to believe there could be something between us. Would my life ever be my own? I knew that answer to that.
"Of course." It would always belong to someone else.
All of his nervousness was gone, and his smile became a bit cockier, "Great. I'll meet you after breakfast."
He didn't even give me time to agree before walking off to join his friends in front of the fireplace. The green flames reflected off his black hair and cast odd shadows across his face, it was strange how something so inanimate and abstract could fill me with a sense of dread.
*~*
"You're going to Hogsmeade with Lennox MacKendrick and you didn't tell me immediately!"Liera screeched when she'd come to the dorm that night. All of our other roommates were still in the commons, giving us some privacy. As much as I couldn't stand Liera and her gossip fetish, I couldn't stand rumors more. At least I know if I ask Liera to keep quiet about something she will. The others? I'm not sure they even knew the definition of the word secret.
"I didn't think it was that important."
"It is so important!" She threw up her hands, dark hair flying wildly, "You're grandmother never shuts up about his family, and for a good reason. You two would be the ultimate power couple in the school and in the wizarding world."
It was always the same I observed, money, fame, credibility. No one in my world wanted anything more than that. Sometimes I wish I could just fall into it the way everyone else did. I wanted to get swept up in all of the pseudo extravagance and relationships. It would be easier.
I smiled at her, the effort it took draining me. "I'm going to turn in early."
"Ugh, buzz kill. Whatever, I'm headed back down. Jimmy Collins broke up with his girlfriend, and I bet he's looking for some company."
"Weren't you just flirting with Teddy Lupin in Potions?" Liera was confusing, and Slytherin's typical party girl.
"Lupin is playing hard to get, which is fun, but unfortunately I need something to keep me occupied in the long run. Collins has beautiful eyes. Oh, don't give me that look. I'm not a slut. Snogging is hardly shagging. Not all of us are such prudes."
She left the room with a huff after that, and I collapsed unceremoniously onto the bed, asleep before my head hit the pillow.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOU ARE READING
Defying Gravity
Fanfikce"You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just a loyal. Those patient Hufflepuffs are true, and unafraid of toil. Or, perhaps, in Slytherin you'll make your real friends. Those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends." ~ The Sorting H...
