Unrequited

9

A few weeks passed and here Asphodel and James were, walking down Hogsmeade with a bunch of Chocolate Frogs in their hands and the taste of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean on their tongues.

"That tasted like poop." Asphodel's mouth upturned.

"It probably is." James replied and Asphodel gagged even more. "How about we wash it down with some nice butterbeer?" He asked.

"Sure." Asphodel said reluctantly. She knew this would mean they'd have to sit down and chat about themselves rather than the interesting things they'd found in the shops as they looked through the window. She had to tell him the news about her parents.

They sat down and ordered the butterbeers like James had suggested. James had insisted Asphodel try another flavor bean but she kindly refused as best she could. "I bet you this one taste like squirrel guts." He said and popped it into his mouth.

"Oh dear," Asphodel tried not to blush at another one of James's squirrel remarks. "Let's hope it doesn't."

"Asphodel, before I forget, how was your absence?" James asked and Asphodel wanted to curl up into a ball. "It must of affected you a lot considering how you've been lately." He noted and when he looked across to where Asphodel was sitting, she was wiping her eyes. "Asphodel?"

"James," Asphodel said as tears spilled out of her eyes and as she continued to wipe her tears with the sleeves of her grey sweater, "my parents aren't together anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry." James replied and reached out his hand which Asphodel rested her hand on top of. "Why? They were so cool, and funny, and always happy together and around us."

"I don't know because I wasn't there when it happened. They hid it all from me. It was all an act." Asphodel sniffed.

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"Last summer when I had to stay with you, that was because they weren't even living in the same house. I didn't come over there for Christmas break, and for my birthday I got two separate letters instead of one from them together." Asphodel explained and James could feel her hand trembling. He got out of his seat and slid into the booth Asphodel was sitting on.

"Why are you crying? They still love you." James comforted.

"I know, but they don't love each other anymore." Asphodel said.

"That's not true. Sometimes marriage doesn't always work out. Maybe they still do love each other and they don't want their conflicts to make that fall apart. It could be for the best for them." James said. Asphodel sniffed again.

"But that's not the best for me." Asphodel replied.

"Just don't think too much into it Asphodel." James said. "Everything will fall into place, and that summer you spent with me was so fun! We could totally do it again."

"Thanks," Asphodel pulled her knees close to her chest and pulled the sweater over them.

"Let's talk about something more happy," James said and smiled, which made Asphodel smile too, "Quidditch try outs are this week!"

"Oh, that's cool." Asphodel said simply.

"I know and it'll be even cooler if you try out. Maybe you'll play for the Falmouth Falcons someday." James said and Asphodel lifted her head off her knees.

"Falmouth Falcons?" She repeated.

"Don't you like them? I don't know why you'd be wearing that sweater other wise." James replied.

"Oh." Asphodel looked down at her sweater. She remembered how it had gotten   onto her from this morning.

"Faun, is it cold outside?"

"Maybe, but you might want to carry one just in case since we'll be outside for most the time."

"Hand me my sweater then, please."

"The grey one?"

"Yes."

"Curse you, Faun." Asphodel muttered under her breath. "Funny story actually..."