Magic (5sos/l.h. Hogwarts AU)

Chapter 55

~A/N~ I wrote this chapter 2 and a half years ago (!!) and my A/N was about being scared to write the Christmas play and as I'm publishing this I'm scared to write my personal statement for uni. Things really do be going in cycles.
Enjoy the chapter!
Leila xx

Emerald meadows stretched as far as the eye could see, dew-covered grass glistening in the early morning sunlight shining across the plains. A forest lay to our left, dense and mysterious, yet somewhat inviting, beckoning me towards the gnarled roots scattered between paths. Fluffy clouds dotted the sapphire sky, slowly trailing north due to the gentle breeze rustling my hair.

In the background I could hear cars, but it was easier to pretend it was a gushing stream in the distance. Had I not already known of the nearby road, I would easily have assumed the sound was running water.

"It's beautiful," I breathed. "Sort of like Castle Combe, but there are no cottages and here you can drive to the city in a few minutes."

"That's why I love it up here," said Luke, offering me his hand in a merely friendly gesture. "It's all pretty and calm in the suburbs, but the city isn't too far so there's still stuff to do."

"I think it's amazing."

"I knew you would. Why do you think I brought you out here?" Before I could answer, he called to the two owls gliding far ahead. "Kika! Salem! Come back!"

Amazingly, the birds responded to the command and swiftly soared over to land on our outstretched arms - Salem elegantly, and Kika with a slight tumble. We had taken the owls out with us as an opportunity to stretch their wings, although they would usually be asleep at that time of day and could easily go out at night whenever they wanted.

"Salem always has to one up Kika," I teased, and Luke smiled softly.

"I think Kika's cute."

"Is that so?!" The level of sarcasm in my voice quickly increased by five hundred percent. "That's not what you've been saying for the past three years!"

"Merlin, calm down!" Luke laughed. "I was still annoyed about that time she almost pecked me to death!"

"You deserved it!" We both laughed, turning a corner to stroll the final stretch across a bumpy pebbled path to the Hemmings House.

It had been a nice walk, 'nice' being the best word to describe it. Not overwhelmingly amazing, one of the best days of my life, but it was peaceful and showed a significant milestone in Luke and I's relationship - alone together, but not working or giving pep talks or complaining or arguing as we usually would, or even ridiculous joking and hours filled with laughter that also occupied our time, but just... talking.

It was new, and different, but nice all the same. 'Just talking' was something I usually relied on Ashton for, as he was the person I would go to for a light-hearted chat not requiring much effort and not spilling our deepest darkest secrets as I would with Michael.

On entering the house, we were yanked out of the happy tranquillity and into a world of rants, forcing me to face reality once again. Not that I minded, for I knew I couldn't be stuck in my little bubble forever.

"How can I even be related to that cow?!" Ashton was pacing furiously up and down while Calum surveyed him in amusement, Michael with worry. "She's going to give me a bad name for all the things she says!"

"Don't worry," Michael said. "It's not like anyone knows she's your aunt. You don't really look similar and you don't have the same last name."

"Is this Rita Skeeter?" Luke guessed, Calum nodding in confirmation.

"What if people find out though? They'll hate me forever!" Ashton said, and I placed a hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down, but he stayed just as tense as before.

"They won't find out, and even if they do they won't hate you," I said. "You're different people, and everyone knows you aren't anything like her."

"I suppose," he sighed unhappily, but I could tell he didn't believe me.

***
Shoving what I thought was the last of my clothes into my trunk, I stood back with a smirk on my face, proud that I had successfully finished the task. From the swearing coming from the next room which all four boys were in, I assumed they weren't having as much luck.

I had felt bad about taking the one room for myself and leaving four boys to share the other, but Liz Hemmings had insisted, saying we were far past the age where boys and girls could share. To me, this was ridiculous - what could any of them possibly do to me? - but my opinion didn't matter in this case.

Surveying the list of things we would need, I stumbled across an item I hadn't previously taken notice of. Why would I - it had never been on the list in previous years?

Dress robes (girls may substitute this for a formal dress if they wish)

"Dress robes?!" an incredulous shout sounded from through the wall, followed by more indignant yells.

"What's a dress robe?"

"That's a dress robe!"

"What in the name of Merlin's saggy left testicle is that?"

"Hey, Michael, that's not fair! Yours don't look as bad!"

Suddenly the door flew open to reveal a confused and irritated looking Calum. "Leila, do you have dress robes?"

"No, it says girls can wear dresses," I said. "Why? They can't be that bad."

"They're not!" Ashton called. "Calum and Luke are making a big deal out of them because they're too cool for formal clothes!"

"Lies! All lies!" said Luke.

"Why do you think we need them?" I asked.

"A party?" Calum suggested. "A dance or something?"

"Merlin, I hope not," I said. "Dancing doesn't sound like my kind of thing."

"Nor mine," he snorted. "But still, don't know until we try it. Do you have a dress, then?"

"No," I said. "Maybe I can get one from Hogsmeade?"

"Maybe if you write to Hermione and Ginny they'll bring you a spare one."

"It's a bit late for that, school starts tomorrow," I pointed out. "Actually, I bet Lavender and Parvati will have spares anyway. They always have a couple of nice dresses, just in case."

I felt sick at the thought of letting the two girls dress me up again, but pushed the thought to the back of my mind. It would be a torture I would have to endure.

Little did I know that would be the least torturous thing to happen to me that year.